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"The names around which have g-athered, in largest measure, 
tlie love and gratitude of succeeding- generations, are those that 
have maintained the cause of tlie weak against tlie strong; that 
have refused to cower beneath the forms of power; and that have 
looked for their reward^beyoud tlie transitory present, to the well 
considered and unchanging praise of the men and the centuries, 
that are in the womb of the future. Such 'names have a freshness 
that will not die." 

W. D. PORTKR, Charleston, 8. C. 



Published by 

THE COWPENS CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE, 

CHARLESTON, S, C. 

1896. 




UI^KS }H tt/e o(a)N Of EYE#' Wnicrf ihdto 

(3PjOKNWAlllS SURRENDER W YOR)\mjL^ 

)>^ If /^r^^ 





Col.WM.Washin^tons Battle Fla^. 



^. 



1781-1881. 



PROCEEDINGS 



THE UNVEILING 



The Battle Monument 



SPARTANBURG, S. C, 



IN COMMEMORATION OF THE CENTENNIAL OF THE 
BATTLE OF COWPENS. 



WITH ILLUSTRATIONS. 




PUBLISHED BY 

THE COWPENS CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE, 
1! 



HE unusual delay since the Centennial, m the publication of 
these proceedings, is due to circumstances beyond the control 
of the Committee. The necessary amount set aside for this purpose 
having only recently been paid, consequently the work has only now 
been accomplished. Not only for the victory commemorated, but as 
well for the historical record it preserves, the continuous purpose 
of the Committee through all these fifteen years, has been to print 
this record in permanent form This public duty being at last dis- 
charged, the completed work is now submitted to all the parties 
interested and to the general public. 



v.- 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



PAGE. 

Frontispiece, . . . Col. Wm. Washington's Battle Flag. 
From the original in the custody of the Washington Light 
Infantry, of Charleston, South Carolina. 



Cowpens, April, 1S56, 12 
16, 



Camp of the W. L. I. on the Battle-field of 
View of First Memorial erected there, 

Seal of the Grand Lodge A. F. M. of S. C 

Centennial ^Monument at Spartanburg, S. C, unveiled in if 

Bronze Statue of Gen'l Morgan, by J. O. A. Ward, 

Plat of Battle-field of Cowpens, . 

Portrait of Gen'l Morgan, 

Obverse and Reverse of his Gold Medal, 

Portrait of Gen'l Andrew Pickens, 

The Sword voted by Congress to him, 

Portrait of Col. J. Egar Howard, 

Obverse and Reverse of his Silver Medal, 

Portrait of Col. William Washington, 

Obverse and Reverse of his Silver Medal, 

Music of W. L. L Banner Song, 

Monument in Honor of William and Jane AVashington, in Magnolia 

Cemetery, Charleston, S. C, . . . . . . 126 

Genealogical Tree of George Washington and his kinsman, William 

Washington, ... ..... 129 



40. 

43 

49 

71 

104 

106. 

107 

m 

114 

115 

117 

117 

12a 



The Lucas & Richardson Company, 
Lithographers, Printers, Etc., 

CHARLESTON, S. C, 

1896. 



GENESIS OF 



^e ^gttle jVLndroei)!' 

In Honor of the Victors of the Cowpens, Erected 

AT Spartanburg, S. C, in Commemoration 

OF THE Centennial. 



UNIQUE and interesting chapter of American his- 
tory is behind this memorial column, and mention of 
noted events through three-quarters of a century naturally 
find a place here, as an introduction to the great pageant, 
which so conspicuously closed the first century after the 
victory at Cowpens. 

This memorial purpose had its origin in the Washington 
Light Infantry, of Charleston, and the birth of the corps 
carries us in memory to the signal guns 
of the second- war with England — the 
firing on the U. S. ship "Chesapeake" 
off the capes of Virginia by the British 
ship 'Leopard." The sound of the 
"Leopard's" insolent guns had scarcely 
died away on the ocean front of Caro- 
lina when gallant men sprang to arms 
eager to assert the national honor and 
punish the national insulter. Among 
the numbers Avhom this wanton aggres- 
sion aroused was a company of gentle- 
men in Charleston, S. C., who organiz- 
ing themselves under the name of Wash- 
ington called to their leadership William Lowndes, tliat 
pure and great statesman, who, himself a prominent candi- 
date for the Presidency, once remarked upon that ofifice 
"that it was one neither to be sought for nor declined," a 
sentiment which embodied somewhat of that spirit of 
incorruptible integrity which was ever the sole guide of his 
motives and conduct. Sprung from such parentage and 
nurtured by such sentiments it is a matter of no surprise 
that upon Col. William Washington's death, in i8iO, his 
widow should have unhesitatingly turned to the 




4 

WASHINGTON LIGHT INFANTRY 

as the fittest custodians of her husband's flag. That bright 
crimson relic which had floated so triumphantly on the 
fierce field of "Cowpens," before whose avenging glow 
"Tarleton's Legion" had quailed and shrunk, and which 
had been well nigh lost at Eutaw bv Colonel Washington's 
too daring impetuosity, his widow herself delivered on the 
19th April, 1827. to this company with the following charge : 
"Gentlemen, to your hands I commit the flag of my hus- 
band; it has never been dishonored while in his keeping. 
I am sure it will never be in yours." 

It was thus that the Washington Light Infantry, by 
becoming the sponsors for the honorable preservation of 
this historic relic, became linked with the Battle of Cow- 
pens. For over a half century they had cherished with 
honorable pride the associations of this important Revolu- 
tionary event, and the anniversaries of the battle have 
annually been celebrated by the corps and also from time 
to time by the patriotic citizens of Spartanburg. 

On the seventy-fifth anniversary of Cowpens, 17th Jan- 
uary, 1856, Capt. Lewis M. Hatch, then in command of 
the corps, at the annual parade in commemoration of the 
victory, proposed a visit to the battle-field in the following 
Spring. In the then condition of railroad transportation 
such a visit involved marching over one hundred miles of 
rough mountain roads, a regular soldier journey. It was a 
novel suggestion to a body of young men not accustomed 
to so long a walk. The Captain, it was known, had in early 
life taken a pleasure trip from Charleston to New York 
afoot, carrying his baggage in a knapsack, and arriving at 
his destination on time and in the best physical condition.* 
To go afoot, however, from the head of railroad travel at 
Laurens to the extreme northern border of the State, and 
thence over to Greenville, S. C, was so novel a project 
that there were doubts as to the ability of the members to 
creditably accomplish the task. Nevertheless, after dis- 



*From the diary, it appears, that the walk from Charleston to New- 
York City, begun on 30th April and ended on 31st May, 1833. Colonel 
Hatch was then eighteen years of age. He did not travel on Sundays, 
and stopped for sight-seeing at Columbia, S. C; Charlotte, N. C; 
Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia. He averaged 33 miles a day, 
with knapsack of clothing. Some days 36 and 37 miles came easy. On 
the two last days he made 40 and 60 miles — 24 of the 60 before breakfast. 
Arrived in New York in the evening, eat a hearty supper, and felt 
very well. 



cussing the jaunt from all points of view, there were 
enrolled by April forty-three volunteers. The late Hon. 
W. D. Porter, ex-Captain, and the Rev. Sam'I Oilman, D. 
D., Chaplain, from the senior roll, were among the first to 
sign. The active roll, as preserved, is as follows : 

Capt. Lewis M. Hatch. 
ist Lieut. Thos. B. Trout. 2d Sergt. James Robb, Jr. 



2d Lieut. Octavus Wilkie 
Ensio;n T. Y. Simons. 
1st Sergt. E. W. Lloyd. 



Corpl. W. A. Courtenay. 
Cor pi. A. S. Brown. 
Corpl. Ben. F. Evans. 



Privates. 



Bruns, J. D., M. D. 
Bruns, R. S. 
Brown, A. S. 
Beckman, J. O. 
Curtis, R. R. 
Cuyler, S. G. 
Covert, H. C. 
Douglas, Campbell 
Drayton, C E. R. 
Dibble, S. W. 
Francis, G. F. 
Fitz Simons, B. 
Gadsden, A. E. 
Honour, T. A. 
Honour, F. H. 
Hatch, J. L. 



Jacobs, F. Jr. 
Kiddell, George 
Kenefick, John 
Klinck, John Jr. 
Lovegreen, L. B. 
McOueen, Donald 
Michel, A. L. 
Mason, C. M. 
Marsh, Jas. G. 
Olney, H. B. 
Pettigrew, J. J. 
Porter, VVm. H. 
Steedman, W. K. 
Spencer, G. W. 
Smith, H. S. 
White, W. T. 



Of that roll call there are only ten survivors at this 
writincf. 




TFfe [Zirst P(^blic JVlen)oriaI 

Erected to the Heroes of Cowpens — The Pilgrim- 
age OF the W. L. I. IN 1856— Origin OF the 
PRESENT Centennial Celebration. 



HE late Dr. J. Dickson Bruns, then an active member of 
the corps, and subsequently a distinguished and hon- 
ored physician of New Orleans, was a private in the ranks 
on this journey, and besides speaking eloquently on several 
noted occasions, and at the battle-field, wrote a narrative of 
the "camp and march," which it is desired to preserve in 
this permanent record, and is herewith presented. 

Out of the trip itself, it may be said, grew the present 
movement to erect upon the one hundredth anniversary of 
the battle a more enduring monument than had been 
erected in 1856. 

The traditional history of no State in the Union is more 
redolent of Revolutionary fame than that of South Caro- 
lina. From the mountains to the seaboard, every county 
within her Hmits can tell of some fierce sanguinary struggle ; 
from King's Mountain to Charleston there is not a foot of 
her soil the possession of which has not been hotly con- 
tested ; and though from the force of circumstances the 
scenes enacted upon her arena are apparently less grand 
than the triumphs won elsewhere, they were not on this 
account a whit the less important to the success of the 
general cause. Any detailed enumeration of her battle- 
fields, or discussion of their respective magnitude or im- 
portance, would here be out of place, but of 

THE BATTLE OF " COWPENS " 

an able and honest historian has said : " // was the first 
link ill tliat chain of events zvhich finally led to the capture of 
Cornwallis, and the successjiil ternimatton of the Revolution- 
ary war." And yet, with curious disregard of the memories 
of the past, no stone up to April, 1856, had been erected 
within the borders of the State to designate those conse- 



crated spots where the sacrifices to Liberty were offered, 
and the traveller trod the sod of her holiest places unheed- 
ing that the mould he pressed had been watered by the 
best blood of South Carolina's sons. To remedy this ap- 
parent depreciation of the men of the Revolution and rescue 
from oblivion, by the elevation of some appropriate mark, 
one at least of these her heritages, had long been a cherished 
wish of the Washington Light Infantry, and to Cowpens, 
doubly endeared to them by the treasured relic it had left 
in their keeping, they instinctively turned as the fittest field 
for their effort. The proposition, which was first made on 
17th January, 1856, to put their purpose into immediate 
execution, was therefore heartily undertaken and prepara- 
tions for the visit busily began. 

THE START. 



e 



The showy dress uniform was laid aside ; buttons and 
broadcloth and lace stripes and feathers were doffed for the 
less gay but far more serviceable hunting-shirt and rough 
leggings in General Morgan's style, and for the stiff brain- 
racking army hat was substituted the more comfortable, if 
not equally military, "slouch." After great bustle and 
preparation order was finally secured and everybody duly 
armed and equipped, according to orders assembled at the 
Military Hall on the evening of the i6th of April, 1856. and 
at 10 o'clock P. M. the night train for Columbia with the 
W. L. L aboard rolled slowly out of the station. 

Passing over the incidents of the trip to Columbia, how 
wit and song and joke and merriment banished all thought 
of fatigue or sleep, and how the small hours of the night 
were asphyxiated with clouds of fragrant smoke, and how 
the very stars winked back at the boys in friendly'recogni- 
tion of their glee, the train reached Columbia at 8 o'clock 
the next morning. After a hearty though hasty reception 
and breakfast at that point, the company were soon speed- 
ing over the railroad to Laurens. Leaving the beauties of 
nature to enjoy their own loveliness, the tired and sleepy 
men had hardly settled down to something like dreamy 
comfort when the train reached Laurens. The comm.and 
to 

" FALL IN PROMPTLY ! " 

left little time for the refreshing exercise of yawning, and 
so stowing away blankets, etc., and buckling on knapsacks. 



8 

the company found themselves on coming into hne in the 
presence of the "Pahnetto Troop," the dragoons of the 
district, assembled to give the pilgrims a hearty welcome. 
After the national requisition of speech-making had been 
duly complied with the company were escorted through the 
village with colors flying and drums beating. Mutual ex- 
pressions of good-will were exchanged, a hundred hearty 
God-speeds and earnest wishes for the success of the enter- 
prise were received, and turning their faces away from their 
hospitable hosts they prepared resolutely for the work now 
fairly begun. 

OVER A HUNDRED MILES 

of untried mountain road lay before them. Of their capa- 
cities to accomplish the undertaken journey, of its vicissi- 
tudes and hardships — how they would be endured or over- 
come, through a fortunate inexperience they were happily 
ignorant. The wagons already packed were waiting, and 
at the lively call of the bugle the column of march is formed 
and with arms slung at will the company took the road. A 
startling thing for those simple-minded country people must 
have been this sight of armed soldiers with their attendant 
baggage train and guard, in piping times of peace, thus 
pursuing their way on — to them — an unknown errand with 
all the sober steadiness of military order. Little time 
was there, however, to gratify the curiosity of the rustic 
inhabitants, and the company kept steadily on when a 
few miles from the village, the advance guard sent back 
notice of a discovered spring and the declining shadows 
warned them of approaching night. In due time the tents 
were pitched and supper procured, after which all hands 
save the sentries turned in for a good night's rest. 

THE SECOND DAY. 

Bright and cloudless rose the morning of the i8th, and at 
earliest dawn the impatient reveille startled into bustling 
life the drowsy camp, and active hands soon completed the 
preparations for a long day's march. The securing of a 
good breakfast was satisfactorily performed, a daguerreo- 
type of the camp was taken, and the rising sun saw the tents 
struck and packed, the teams in harness and the eager col- 
umn already en route. 

All unconscious of the disasters which lay before them, 
and spurred to increased exertion by the thought of the 



twenty-four miles to be accomplished that day, with haver- 
sacks, luckily, well provided, the main body, leaving the 
lumbering baggage train to follow more leisurely, pushed 
eagerly on ; but the latter had scarcely dragged its slow 
length five miles when a refractory wagon laid obstinately 
down and positively refused to be urged another step. The 
rapid advance of the men had placed them beyond all pros- 
pect of recall, and the baggage guard were too few to 
attempt, with any prospect of speedy success, the repair of 
the shattered vehicle. Nothing remained but to procure a 
substitute. This was done after an apparently interminable 
delay, and the effects being transferred, a fresh start was 
made with the satisfaction that they had at last conquered 
fate. Short-sighted mortals ! A few miles further on the 
same scene, with added troubles, was repeated, and thus, 
grumbling and stumbling on, breaking, now an axle, and 
then a pole, and occasionally slipping a tire by way of 
variety, the baggage train found itself at sunset with a third 
of the day's march still unfinished, though at last provided 
with substantial conveyances and a strong and yet unjaded 
team. 

WAITING FOR THE WAGON. 

In the meantime the majority of those in advance, heed- 
less and ignorant of the less fortunate condition of their 
comrades in the rear, crossing the Enoree, pressed care- 
lessly on, levying as they went willing contributions of 
buttermilk and chickens and eggs. Thus plodding on, some- 
times with sore heels and blistered soles, often with aching 
limbs, but always in cheerful mood, they found their way to 
the assigned halting place, where, building their fires, they 
waited wearily for the long expected wagon train. It was 
late in the night, and many of the watchers had already 
thrown themselves down to slumber, when the distant notes 
of the bugle told of their coming, and at last the tired 
horses dragged their load into camp amid welcoming shouts 
and a hundred hurried exclamations of surprise and inquiry. 
After a cold supper the men turned into their tents and 
passed an uneasy night on native rocks and amid a drizzling 
rain. 

THE THIRD DAY. 

Warned by the dismal experience of the day before, a 
different disposition of the men was made, and an order of 
march adopted which, in the end, proved both convenient 



10 

and useful. An adequate guard was detailed for wagon 
service, whose sole duty it was to remain with and take care 
of the transportation, and strict commands were issued to 
the column ahead on no account to proceed more than a 
mile in advance. At the call of the bugle the latter were 
to halt until the wagons came up, or return for the purpose 
of rendering such assistance as accident might require. At 
intervals of an hour a rest of a few minutes M^as allowed, 
and at the word "Iialt" it was amusing to see each man, 
just where he happened to be standing, instantly strip off 
his knapsack and throw himself on the ground, elevating 
his feet almost simultaneously against the nearest tree, the 
position subserving the double purpose of gratifying a pecu- 
liar national instinct and relieving, momentarily at least, 
the engorged and travel- worn sole. 

At the command "make ready ! " knapsack and rifle were 
instantly and cheerfully resumed, the word " march ! " put 
everything in motion Avithout delay, and thus, da capo, the 
day's journey was completed. 

ARRIVAL ON TIME. 

The numerous predictions which were uttered along the 
route of the inability of the company to fulfil its engage- 
ments within the time specified, made every man determined 
to disappoint them, and, forgetting in their anxiety all 
fatigue and mishaps, pressed forward with such vigor that 
at lo o'clock A. M., two hours in advance of their appoint- 
ment, they hailed, witii such greetings as only the tired can 
give or appreciate, the spires of Spartanburg. A short dis- 
tance from the town, the W. L. I. were met by a committee 
of gentlemen, who, on behalf of their townsmen, tendered 
the company its hospitalities. Escorted by this committee 
through the town, they were again welcomed, ofiiicially, in 
an address delivered by one of the prominent citizens of 
the place, and more pleasantly and eloquently by the bright 
smiles from the fair faces which thronged the balconies. 
After many a hearty greeting given and received, the com- 
pany was finally conducted to their camping ground — a 
gentle slope selected on the eastern suburbs of the town, 
where the Stars and Stripes were soon floating in the hos- 
pitable breeze, and the quiet plain converted with military 
dispatch into a stirring scene of animated and bustling 
Hfe. 



11 



WARM GREETINGS AT SPARTANBURG. 

It would be vain to attempt any detailed account of the 
sojourn here. Suffice it to say that everything which could 
promote either their comfort or enjoyinent was generously 
contributed. A handsome entertainment given by the 
ladies in their honor on the evening of their arrival, and the 
religious exercises of the following day, (Sunday, 20th,) 
part of which were conducted by their highly esteemed 
and venerated chaplain, Dr. Oilman, sped the time profita- 
bly and pleasantly, and on the next day, (Monday, the 2ist 
day of April, 1856,) with the dawn they bade farewell to 
their kindly friends and welcomers and with many a linger- 
ing regret at the necessity which compelled their departing, 
and with three loyal cheers for the girls they left behind 
them, they turned their faces towards the long desired ter- 
minus of their now almost completed pilgrimage. 

On Sacred Ground. 

Along the banks of many a graceful rivulet, whose bab- 
bling waters occasionally swept their path, catching now 
and then a glimpse of the grand old "Blue Ridge," with its 
massive chain piled away like a bank of sombre clouds in 
the far northwest, the company kept on their way and 
about noon reached the Pacolet River, whose swift stream 
was crossed without accident, and after an easy and pleasant 
march they reached the "Cowpens" about 3 o'clock in the 
afternoon. Thus far the weary steps of the pilgrims had 
Icept time only to the occasional tap of the drum, or 
been enlivened at intervals by the solitary bugle note; but 
now, as if t.\\Q genius loci had fired all with a novel inspiration, 
the swelling strains of martial music burst suddenly on the 
ear, and with brighter t-ye and firmer tread they mounted 
the brow of the declivity at quickstep, and planting the 
crimson flag of Cowpens Guilford, Hobkirk's Hill and Eu- 
taw Springs on the san^ie spot where three-cj^uarters of a 
century before it had first been flung to the breeze, they 
made the silent forest ring with three times three hearty 
cheers. 

There was little tune for giving vent to enthusiasm, how- 
ever, for much was to be accomplished ere the morrow, and 
each man readily accepted and resolutely began his share of 
the work. The tents were soon pitched. A more sumptu- 
ous dinner than usual was heartily partaken of in honor of 



\] W I" f 




the occasion, and the tasks of the afternoon being complet- 
ed, mirth and glee and uproarious merriment startled with 
their wild revelry the stillness of those ancient woods, while 
music and the glare of blazing bonfires, and the fiery flight 
of brilliant rockets, lent an additional enchantment to the 
scene. But as the hours sped these, all in turn, yielded to 
the usurpation of a more despotic power, and from the 
brooding wings of night, stillness and darkness dropped 
stealthily down. 

THE NIGHT BEFORE THE CELEBRATION. 

A small circle sat alone by the embers of a slowly dying 
fire, and memory, busy with the past, called up the dim- 
remembered shapes and shifting scenes of the time "'long 
ago." Overhead the drowsy folds of the national flag 
stirred lazily to the gentle night winds, in which the little 
banner, as if conscious of its native air, flapped incessantly. 
The plaintive note of the whip-poor-will broke at intervals 
upon the dreary stillness, and in the deep gloom giant pines 
—the guardian watchers of the plain — lifted their tall forms, 
in whose melancholy soughing, fancy caught the murmur of 
an eternal requiem to the brave departed who had fallen on 
this field. Behind the shadowy copse, like a pale prophetess, 
the moon sailed solemnly up, and against its quiet light 
spectral cypresses stretched their giant arms imploringly. 

A DIFFERENT SCENE 

these trees had looked down upon seventy-five years before ! 
Now, all was security and rest ; then, naught but eager 
bustle and active preparation, and dispiriting doubts, and 
half acknowledged fears, and sad forebodings for self and 
country. Where these quiet sleepers lay, wakeful eyes 
watched vigilantly for the dawn of an eventful morrow, 
upon which many of them, alas! were to be forever closed 
in death. Over all now brooded the motionless quiet of 
the grave ; then, the sound of earnest voices from closely 
gathered groups, of sharpened swords and burnished arms, 
and neighing steeds harnessed for battle broke angril}' on the 
air. From knot to knot of those sturdy men, whose bronzed 
features glowed redly in the firelight, flitted tall forms, 
at the encouraging tones of whose voices as they dropped 
here and there a word of advice, or cheer or command, the 
clenched hand and more closely knitted brow told of their 



14 

angry purpose and their high confidence in the leadership 
of those who addressed them. This smooth-shaven turf, on 
which the pilgrims now reclined, had been torn bv the hurt- 
ling ball, the ploughing artillery wheel and the rush of the 
impetuous squadrons. Here the fierce hand to hand strug- 
gle, with its burning hate and smothered curses and deep- 
drawn breath and tightly-braced sinews and desperate hold, 
never to be relaxed except in death, had been enacted, and 
here the deadly bullet had stopped the pulse and the keen 
sabre drank the life-blood of many a high heart. Hard was 
it to realize that from the grim and reeking demon of this 
bloody field had sprung the angel offspring of liberty and 
happiness and peace. In the small circle whose musings 
we have just chronicled it was proposed that the lOOth 
anniversary should be made a great occasion, that a more 
imposing memorial should be set up. 

Erection of the Memorial. 

Before the sun the W. L. I. were up and stirring on the 
morning of the 22d, and breakfast being dispatched, the 
work for which they had come was eagerly commenced. 
The sharp rap of chisel and mallet, the clink of trowels, the 
loud shouts and boisterous calls of the workers, the glancing 
of bright uniforms amid the deep green of the surrounding 
woods, the snowy canvas flapping in the breeze, the crack- 
ling fires, the waving flags and glittering arms, made up a 
scene as picturesque as novel and one not easily forgotten. 
The news of the intended celebration had spread for miles 
around, and scores of spectators from every quarter were 
momentarily pouring in. Old men, whose fathers had been 
actors in the strife, who had often listened with boyish en- 
thusiasm to the story of the stirring fight from the knees of 
many a participant, came to renew the old associations of 
their youth. Stalwart forms were there, whose firm tread 
and steady hand and quick eye betokened a manly inde- 
pendence, and a ready and skilful use of the rifle they often 
bore. Grand-dames and matrons, and 

BLOOMING MOUNTAIN GIRLS, 

with native roses in their cheeks, mingled their flaming 
dresses with the homelier garb of the men ; and children of 
every age and sex, and condition and style of garment 
with wondering eyes and gaping mouths, looked admir- 
ingly on. 



15 



LOCATING THE SPOT. 

The evening before, with a good chart of the field and 
plan of the battle, and the assistance of those familiar with 
the place and action, a careful survey of the whole ground 
had been made, and the very spot, as near as possible, where 
Tarleton's Legion had first been checked by Washington's 
charge had been located. Clearing this, the corner-stone 
and foundation had been laid, and the erection of the base 
now went rapidly on. This was composed of a rough granite 
block, selected from the field itself, and in it was inserted a 
white marble slab, bearing these words : 

The Memorial Shaft. 

THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED 

BY THE WASHINGTON LIGHT INFANTRY, 

CAPT. L. M. HATCH, APRIL, 1856. 

On this rose an octagonal pillar, about four feet in height, 
made of concrete, the shells of which were gathered near 
Fort Moultrie, and a thick marble slab, of the same shape, 
surmounted the whole, whose several sides bore the follow- 
ing inscription : 

WASHINGTON. 

THE WASHINGTON LIGHT INFANTRY OF CHARLESTON, 

TO WHOSE CUSTODY THE WIDOW OP 

WILLIAM WASHINGTON ENTRUSTED 

HIS BANNER, VISITED THIS 

BATTLE-FIELD, APRIL, 1856, 

AND AGAIN WAVED 

OVER IT THE FLAG 

BORNE BY HIM 

ON THAT 

OCCASION. 

MORGAN. HOWARD. 

FORT MOULTRIE, KING'S MOUNTAIN, COWPENS, 
EUTAW SPRINGS, OUR HERITAGE. 

PICKENS. 

TO THE VICTORS OF COWPENS : WE ENJOY THE 

RESULT OP THEIR STRUGGLE. LET US 

EMULATE THE VIRTUES 

WHICH SECURED IT. 



16 



From the centre of the pedestal towered up a fluted iron 
shaft, capped by a ball, on Avhich rested a gilded eagle with 
extended wings. In the interior of the monument were 
deposited a bottle of Eutaw Spring water, a brick from the 
house in which the British took refuge on that hotly con- 
tested day, the roll of the officers and members of the com.- 
pany present, and a pamphlet, descriptive of the battle, 
from Di'. Joseph Johnson's narrative. 

About noon the task of erec- 
tion was completed and the 
shaft lifted into its place. 
There was a slight pause and 
hush as it was being adjusted, 
the plumber leaped from the 
pedestal and the air shook 
with a thundering salute from 
the guns of the Cowpens 
Artillery, and repeated cheers 
from thousands of mountain 
lungs sent the wild chorus 
^_ flying over wood and hill and 
plain. 

A picnic, provided by the 

' -. fair ladies of Spartanburg, was 

^ duly honored, and this finished, 

^^^ a rough stand was erected and 

^^^^the simple memorial to virtue 

J^and valor was solemnly dedi- 

^(.^ cated by the venerable chap- 




/JA 



lam. Addresses were made by 
Ex-Capt. VV. D. Porter, Lieut. 
Thos. Y. Simons, J. D. Bruns, 
M. D., and others, and, at 
their close, the Banner Song 
of the W. L. I. was sung, the 
effect of which was greatly 
heightened by the myriad voices joining in the chorus. 




THE WORK WAS DONE. 



The enterprise, a small one it is true, but dear to those 
who undertook it, was successful ; the names of Morgan, 
Howard, Washington, Pickens, McCall, would henceforth be 
identified in more than mere memory with the place of their 
renown ! After performing several evolutions and deploy- 



17 



ing as skirmishers over the ground where the British h'ne 
was first checked by the picked marksmen of Cunningham 
and McDowel, the camp was abandoned and the company 
bivouacked that night on the banks of the Pacolet, not far 
from the ford where Tarleton crossed on the night previous 
to the battle. The following day, over a miry road, through 
a rain which tried their mettle and india-rubber cloths to 
the utmost, the company marched twenty-seven miles, and 
well fagged-out, rested that evening within thirteen miles 
of Greenville. At this place a ball and at Columbia a din- 
ner were cheerfully and successfully encountered, and on 
the afternoon of the 20th they were welcomed back to 
Charleston by their remaining comrades and other military 
companies. 

Thus in times of peace, and by unpracticed pedestrians, 
a journey of five hundred miles, one hundred of which were 
marched on foot over rough mountain roads, was under- 
taken and successfully accomplished, and thus was erected 
by untaught hands the first memorial in honor of a battle 
fought on Southern soil. It is due to the generous women 
of Spartanburg to add, that they afterwards purchased the 
acre of ground immediately surrounding the monument, 
enclosed it with a neat iron railing, and presented the title 
deed of the same to the W, L. I. 




KirtI] of tl]e Tentennial Mor)On)ent. 



IN the narrative of the pilgrimage to the battle-field, in 
1856, appears the germ of thought, which gave birth to 
the great occasion, that is now to have a detailed and perma- 
nent record. On the evening before the company aban- 
doned their camp, and turned their faces homeward, a group 
of a half-dozen members of the corps were lying on the 
green sward, under the wide-spreading pines, congratulating 
themselves on the success of their enterprise, and talking 
over the stirring events which had occurred sevent3^-five 
years before. 

The conversation finally reverted from the past to the 
dim and distant future, and looking forward a quarter of a 
century, a proposition was offered and a pledge made by the 
little group that those who should survive until the centen- 
nial anniversary of the battle, in 1881, should use their best 
efforts to organize a second pilgrimage to the historic spot 
on Broad River, and there build an enduring memorial for 
the centuries. 

Little did the members of that small circle dream, that 
in five years a great civil war would have been begun ; that 
the visitors to one of the consecrated fields of the War of 
Independence would be actors on a larger field of strife than 
the struggle with England. 

The changes of a quarter of a century had been of a 
most sweeping character; war, pestilence and other causes 
had done their work, in scattering and destroying friends 
and comrades. Many of those who participated in the cel- 
ebration of 1856 had made the last sacrifice — had laid down 
their lives for South Carolina. 

The memorial they had erected on the battle-field, in the 
wild and sparsely settled border-land between North and 
South Carolina, had been utterly destroyed by vandal 
hands — even the iron fence around it, and, as well, the 
monument itself, had literally disappeared. In view of this 
desecration the original idea of placing the monument upon 
the battle-field was abandoned, and it was afterwards deter- 
mined to place it in the public square of the Town of 
Spartanburg, a site being presented by the Town Council 



19 

to the committee, and an appropriation of five hundred 
dollars made for its erection, this area is now known as 
" Morgan Square." 

The great changes that had occurred had left the writer 
the only survivor of the group who was in a position to un- 
dertake the revival of the proposed centennial memorial, 
and this had to be attempted amid doubt, uncertainty and 
many visible difficulties. His preliminary work was begun 
in 1879, and by the 99th anniversary of the battle, 17th 
January, 1880, plans had been so far matured that on that 
day meetings of the Washington Light Infantry in Charles- 
ton, and of the citizens of Spartanburg, in that town, were 
held, and an address prepared by a joint committee of gen- 
tlemen, which had been previously appointed, was adopted. 

At this meeting the following resolutions, v/hich had been 
previously adopted by the Town Council of Spartanburg, 
were submitted : 

Resolved, That it is the sense of the Town Council that 
the plan of celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of the 
Battle of Cowpens should meet the hearty approval and 
co-operation of all of our people. 

Resolved, further. That the Town Council will extend all 
the aid and assistance it possibly can to ensure the success 
of the centennial celebration, and the erection of a memo- 
rial, and that the whole country be invited to meet in com- 
memorating one of the most important victories of the 
Revolution of 1776-83. 

THE CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE 

consists of the following gentlemen : 

Hon. Wm. A. Courtenay, Mayor of Charleston, 

W. K. Blake, Esq., Spartanburg, S. C. 

Dr. H. E. Heinitsh, Spartanburg. 

Capt. Chas. Petty, Spartanburg. 

Gen. J. C. Anderson, Spartanburg. 

Col. T. Stobo Farrow, Spartanburg. 

Dr. J. B. O. Landrum, Spartanburg. 

Capt. S. S. Ross, Spartanburg. 

Capt. Geo. D. Bryan, Commanding W. L. I., Charleston. 

First Lieut. A. W. Marshall, W. L. L, Charleston. 

First Lieut. W. Lucas Simons, W. L, L, Charleston. 

Second Lieut. Geo. B. Edwards, W. L. L, Charleston. 

Second Lieut. J. Lamb Johnston, W. L. I., Charleston. 



20 

Hon. Wm. A. Courtenay, Mayor of Charleston, was 
chosen Chairman ; Hon. W. K. Blake, of Spartanburg, 
Vice-Chairman ; Col. Ed. B. White, of New York, Archi- 
tect, and Lieut. George B. Edwards, of the W. L. I., of 
Charleston, was elected Secretary and Treasurer of the Com- 
mittee. The first action of this Committee, was issuing 
the following : 

PUBLIC ADDRESS 

To the Governors and Peoples of the Old Thirteen States, and 
of the State of Tennessee, adopted at a Joint Meeting of 
the Citizens of Spartanbitrg County, S. C, and the Wash- 
ington Light Infantry, of Charleston : 

17TH January, 1880. 

The Washington Light Infantry of Charleston, S. C, and 
the citizens of Spartanburg County, in joint, though sepa- 
rate, meeting assembled, propose to unite their efforts and 
make preparation for a worthy commemoration of the 
Centennial of Gen. Daniel Morgan's decisive victory at 
the Cowpens, which will occur one year from this day, by 
a worthy public observance, and the erection of a memorial 
column, on or near the battle field, which will hand down 
to the latest posterity in enduring granite, the heroic story 
of the victory on this historic spot. Such a memorial will 
recall to the present and future generations of our common 
country, the fidelity, the endurance, the sacrifice of those, 
who, in that period of hardship and peril, were true to the 
principles of liberty and faithful to the right of self-govern- 
ments in this Western world we call "Our Country." It 
will recall the defeat of General Gates and the coming of 
General Greene, the friend and companion-in-arms of George 
Washington, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Southern 
Department, the leader of the patriot soldiers of Delaware, 
Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Car- 
olina and Georgia. It will recall the services of Daniel 
Morgan, of Pickens, Howard, Wm. Washington, Triplet, 
McCall, of Cunningham, McDowall, Tait, Beattie, with 
Marion, Sumter, Davidson, Kosciusko, LaFayette, Steuben, 
Hampton, Huger, Williams, Lee, Ford, Simons, and other 
officers in active co-operation at various points of the South- 
ern Department. It will recall this, "The First Link in 
the chain of events that led to the surrender of Cornwallis 
at Yorktown, and the successful termination of the war for 
American Independence." 



21 

With such a purpose the Washington Light Infantry, of 
Charleston, S. C., the custodians of the battle-flag of Col. 
William Washington, which first waved in triumph on this 
field, and the citizens of Spartanburg County, on whose 
soil this battle was fought, jointly invite the friendly co- 
operation and good offices of his Excellency the President 
of the United States, of their Excel'encies, the Governors 
and Commanders-in-Chief, and the people generally of the 
Old Thirteen States, and of the State of Tennessee, and 
especially of the Executives and citizens of the States em- 
braced in General Greene's Southern Department, to lend 
their aid to this patriotic work, proposed to be consum- 
mated on the 17th January, 1 88 1. Be it, therefore. 

Resolved, Jointly by the citizens of Spartanburg County 
and the Washington Light Lifantry, of Charleston, that the 
aim and purpose expressed in the foregoing address has our 
hearty concurrence, and that we pledge our united efforts 
to a worthy commemoration of the Centennial of the 
Battle of Cowpens, r7th January, 1881. Be it further 

Resolved, That a committee of thirteen be appointed, 
six from the Washington Light Infantry, of Charleston, 
and seven from the County of Spartanburg, who shall be 
charged with all the arrangements of the proposed observ- 
ance of the day, and the erection of the memorial column. 
Be it further 

Resolved, That the Governors of the Old Thirteen States, 
and of the State of Tennessee, be cordially invited to co- 
operate in this undertaking, by acting as honorary advisory 
committee, lending their council and influence to this pa- 
triotic work, of erecting with fitting ceremonies, an endur- 
ing memorial on South Carolina soil, to the brave men, who, 
one hundred years previously, devoted their lives and ser- 
vices to the establishment of American Independence, and 
by so doing bring together the people of the "Union" in 
the bonds of country and of Washington. Be it further 

Resolved, That all descendants of the officers and men of 
the several commands who participated in the Battle of 
Cowpens, be invited to send in their names and addresses 
to either ot the Committee at Spartanburg or Charleston, 
with brief mention of their connections, as it is desired to 
send special invitations to all such and assign to them 
prominence in the ceremonies of the day. 

(Signed by the Committee.) 



22 

At the meeting of the citizens of Spartanburg, S. C, the 
following additional resolutions were unanimously adopted : 

Resolved, That the citizens of Spartanburg County regard 
with pleasure the efforts made by the Washington Light 
Infantry, of Charleston, for a proper commemoration of 
the Centennial Anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens. 

Resolved, That the energy and zeal displayed by the 
Washington Light Lifantry, in the cause of perpetuating 
the memory of the heroes of 1776, are entitled to our high- 
est consideration, and the undertaking thus initiated by 
them is deserving of the attention of our whole country. 

Resolved, That we will most heartily co-operate with them 
in their undertakings, and pledge ourselves to assist in 
erecting a memorial to the victors of the Battle of Cowpens. 

Resolved, That the Secretary of this meeting be instructed 
to forward to the Hon. Wm. A. Courtenay, Mayor of 
Charleston, a copy of these resolutions, to be by him pre- 
sented to the officers and members of the "Washington 
Light Infantry." 

In consonance with the action of the Joint Committee 
the following address was issued in March, 1880: 

Armory of the Washington Light Infantry, ) 
Charleston, S. C, 17th March, 1880. \ 

OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION ADDRESSED TO 
THE GOVERNORS OF THE OLD THIRTEEN 
STATES AND THE STATE OF TENNESSEE. 

Your Excellency : The undersigned, a joint committee 
of the citizens of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, and 
of the Washington Light Infantry, of Charleston, S. C, 
are charged with the very agreeable duty of arranging 
for a worthy commemoration of the Centennial of General 
Daniel Morgan's decisive victory at Cowpens, won on the 
17th January, 1781, and alluded to by our distinguished 
historian, Mr. Bancroft, as "The first link in the chain of 
events that led to the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown 
and the successful termination of the War for American 
Independence." 

In considering the arrangements best suited for the ob- 
servance of this historic event, we recognize the fact that 
although thib battle was fought on the soil of South Caro- 
lina, it was won by the troops of several States, and enured 



23 

to the benefit of our then 5/oung Repubh'c, founded on the 
enduring principles of independence and self-government. 

In our opinion, therefore, it would be out of place to 
make of it a local celebration, and we shall aim to unite 
the Governors and citizens of the Old Thirteen States and 
of the State of Tennessee, in the erection of the proposed 
memorial column and the observance of the day, and 
through his Excellency the President and the Congress of 
the United States we shall hope to have the work crowned 
with a bronze figure, heroic size, of the gallant soldier from 
New Jersey, who made this splendid fight at the turning 
point of the War for American Independence. 

We propose, then, the erection of a memorial column, in 
gray granite, 22 feet high, complete in itself, so designed 
as to ensure great permanency and as well to be adapted 
to the reception of the bronze statue of General Morgan, 
proposed to be ordered by the Congress of the United 
States, a joint resolution being now before the United 
States Senate and House of Representatives, authorizing 
the Secretary of War to order this work done. 

With the view of extending the celebration, and of mak- 
ing it common to each of the Old Thirteen States, and of 
the State of Tennessee, we address you this communica- 
tion, soliciting your friendly co-operation in our work and 
calling your attention to the letters of President Hayes, 
of Governor Simpson of South Carolina, and to the pro- 
ceedings of the joint meeting held at Spartanburg and 
Charleston, S. C, on the 17th January, 1880, the 99th anni- 
versary of the victory. We most respectfully invite your 
Excellency's attention to the following resolution : 

Be it fiLTtJier resolved, That all descendants of the of^cers 
and men of the several commands who participated in the 
Battle of Cowpens be invited to send their names and 
addresses to either of the committee at Spartanburg or 
Charleston, with brief mention of their connections, as it is 
desired to send special invitations to all such, and assign to 
them prominence in the ceremonies of the day. 

And we ask your good offices in bringing it to the atten- 
tion of the people of yov\x State, in the hope that the 
descendants of those who fought on this field may take an 
interest in our comsnemorative ceremonies. 

Commending our plans to the most friendly consideration 
of your Excellency, and the patriotic citizens of your State. 

We are, your Excellency's very obedient servants. 

(Signed by the Committee.) 



24 

The favorable responses from the Governors of the Old 
Thirteen States and of Tennessee, the State Societies of 
the Cincinnati, the Grand Lodge A. F. M. of South Caro- 
lina, and other prominent invited guests, indicated warm 
sympathy in the project, and enthusiasm in its successful 
completion. 

The original plan, based on somewhat limited means, in 
the presence of these new conditions, was expanded as 
events unfolded themselves, and a more substantial, impos- 
ing and, of course, more costly, memorial column was 
undertaken. 

A NATIONAL MONUMENT. 

In the late Spring of i88o this larger work came more 
plainly in view ; it was evident that the "Cowpens Centen- 
nial" was attracting general attention from New Hampshire 
to Georgia, and that the occasion in 1881 would be national 
in its character. So favorable was the growth of public 
opinion in the fourteen States, that it was thought most 
desirable to crown the memorial column with a grand 
bronze figure of General Daniel Morgan, in the uniform of 
his period. 

The chairman, Hon. Wm. A. Courtenay, initiated this 
statuary purpose, communicating with Senators Hampton 
and Butler, and Representatives Evins and O'Connor, of 
the Spartanburg and Charleston Districts, suggesting that 
an effort be made to secure through Congressional aid a 
bronze statue of General Daniel Morgan, of heroic size, to 
crown this massive and imposing column of victory. 

The following action of the Forty-sixth Congress of the 
United States afforded the highest gratification, as it 
worthily honored the hero of "Saratoga" and "Cowpens," 
and as well crowned the centennial column of victory with 
a grand work of art from the studio of a distinguished 
American sculptor. 

JOINT RESOLUTION 

To FURNISH A Bronze Statue of General Daniel 
Morgan to the Cowpens Centennial Commit- 
tee OF Spartanburg, South Carolina. 

Whereas, the Washington Light Infantry of Charleston 
and the citizens of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, 
propose on the 17th day of January, 1881, to celebrate the 



25 

centennial anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens, fought 
near Cherokee Ford, in Spartanburg County, in said State, 
and to have completed before that day an imposing 
memorial column in honor of the victors in that important 
and decisive engagement ; and 

Whereas, the Governors and peoples of the "Old Thir- 
teen States" aie to be identified with the observance of 
this centennial event : Therefore, 

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That as a 
mark of the appreciation of the whole country for this 
patriotic undertaking, and as a token of recognition by the 
American people of the signal service rendered to the cause 
of independence by the heroic men who took part in this 
battle, the Secretary of War be, and he is hereby, author- 
ized and directed to have made a bronze statue (heroic size 
and in the uniform of the rifleman of the period) of General 
Daniel Morgan, the commander of the American forces in 
said battle, and cause the same to be delivered through the 
Governor of South Carolina to the Cowpens Centennial 
Committee in time to be placed in position upon said 
memorial column before the proposed commemoration ; 
and the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized and 
directed to pay, upon the warrant of the Secretary of War, 
out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropri- 
ated, the sum of twenty thousand dollars, or so much of 
said sum as may be necessary, to carry into effect the pur- 
pose of this resolution. 

Approved May 26, 1880. 

THE NEXT STEP. 

On the 2d of August, 1880, a meeting of the committee 
was held at Spartanburg, the Hon. Wm. A. Courtenay pre- 
siding. At this meeting satisfactory progress in the move- 
m.ent was reported, and the following resolutions were 
adopted : 

Resolved, That the proposed monument to commemorate 
the Battle of Cowpens be erected in the Town of Spartan- 
burg, on the site donated by the Town Council. 

Resolved, That the chairman prepare the necessary papers 
to be presented through the Spartanburg and Charleston 
delegation to the State Legislature, asking an appropria- 
tion to assist in completing the monument and in entertain- 
'w.ii the distinguished guests. 



26 

Resolved, That the President and Cabinet of the United 
States be invited to be present at the unveiUng of the 
monument in January next, and that the President be par- 
ticularly requested to preside at the ceremonies. 

Resolved, That this committee extend an invitation to 
the Grand Masters of the Old Thirteen States and Ten- 
nessee, through the Grand Master of South Carolina, to be 
present at and assist the Grand Master of South Carolina 
in laying the corner-stone of the Cowpens Memorial. 

Resolved further. That the Town and County of Spartan- 
burg will provide the means of laying the foundations and 
erecting the monument commemorating the Centennial of 
the Battle of Cowpens. 

The site donated was in the public square of Spartanburg, 
which has since been known as " Morgan Squared The 
action of the General Assembly of South Carolina was cor- 
dial and generous, as will appear by the following record. 

At the ^session of the Legislature of South Carolina Mr. 
W. K. Blake, of Spartanburg, the Vice-President of the 
Centennial Committee, offered the following Concurrent 
Resolution, which was unanimously adopted : 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Authorizing the Governor to Extend an Invita- 
tion ON Behalf of the State to Certain Distin- 
guished Guests to be Present at the Unveiling 
OF the Cowpens Monument. 

Whereas, arrangements are now being made, and with 
every prospect of success, looking to the united action of 
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, 
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, 
Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, the 
Old Thirteen States, and the then Territory of Tennessee, 
for the erection of a memorial column in honor of the vic- 
tors of the Battle of Cowpens, fought on the soil of South 
Carolina, by the men of the North and South, in the great 
cause of American Independence ; and, whereas, the Con- 
gress of the United States have, by their unanimous resolu- 
tion, specially endorsed this proposed commemoration by 
the munificent appropriation of twenty thousand ($20,000) 
dollars for a bronze statue of General Daniel Morgan, who 
commanded the American Army on that memorable day ; 
therefore, be it 



21 

Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate con- 
ciLrring, That the State of South Carolina cordially unites 
in the celebration of this, one of the great battle days of 
the Union. 

Resolved, That His Excellency the Governor of South 
Carolina extend an invitation to His Excellency the Presi- 
dent of the United States and his Cabinet, and to the Gov- 
ernors of the Old Thirteen States and of Tennessee to be 
present at the unveiling of the Cowpens memorial. 

At the same session the sum of $2,000 was appropriated 
in the general appropriation bill to assist in defraying the 
expenses of the centennial ceremonies. 

It was feared that it would be impossible to have the un- 
veiling ceremonies on the day of the centennial anniversary, 
17th January, and in case of need for more time, the iith 
of May, 1881, was suggested as a suitable date. 

A LETTER FROM PRESIDENT HAYES. 

Executive Mansion, 
Washington, January 26th, 1880. 

Dear Sir: I am directed by the President to acknowl- 
edge the receipt of your letter of the 20th instant, with 
enclosure, and to say that he will be glad to co-operate with 
yourself and the committee of the Washington Light In- 
fantry, and citizens of Spartanburg, in the arrangements 
for the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the 
Battle of Cowpens. 

Very truly yours, 
(Signed,) W^ K. RODGERS. 

Private Secretary. 
To Hon. Wm. A. Courtenay, Mayor of Charleston, 

Chairman of Coivpens Centeiuiial Committee. 

A LETTER FROM GOVERNOR SIMPSON. 

Columbia, S. C, February 9th, 1880. 

Ho/i. Wm. A. Court enay, Charleston, S. C: 

Dear Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt 
of your communication with reference to the celebration of 
the centennial anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens. I 
have read with much interest the publications which have 
been made of the plans proposed, and I take pleasure 



28 

in saying, that they have my hearty concurrence and 
approval. 

It seems to me especially fitting that the people of Spar- 
tanburg, in their efforts to erect a suitable memorial on this 
historic spot, in their country, should have the active aid of 
the Washington Light Infantry. It is becoming that the 
descendants of the bold mountaineers of the Cowpens 
should join in this celebration with the distinguished corps 
which guards with such patriotic fervor the battle-flag of 
William Washington. 

But the centennial celebration of the Battle of Cowpens 
will not be confined to the people of any section or of any 
State. It will call forth the approval of every American 
patriot, without regard to State lines or political creeds ; 
certainly no event in the history of the War of Indepen- 
dence is more worthy of commemoration than the victory 
which " re-animated the desponding friends of America, and 
seemed to be like a resurrection from the dead of the 
Southern States." Although the glory of the Cowpens 
belonged to the soldiers of Maryland, Virginia and the 
Carolinas, the results caused rejoicing to the people of all 
the States, from New Hampshire to Georgia 

I trust that the representatives of each of the Old Thir- 
teen States and of Tennessee, may join with the people of 
South Carolina, in the erection of the proposed column, 
and that Congress may grant the request to crown it with 
a statue of the great New Jersey rifleman, General Daniel 
Morgan. 

Such celebrations as these teach us the value of the free- 
dom which our forefathers bought with their blood ; and 
they serve, too, to unite more closely the bands of that 
"more perfect union," which alone can secure the blessings 
of peace and prosperity to all portions of our common 
country. 

Feeling the fullest sympathy with the patriotic impulses 
which prompt this celebration, I beg to assure you of my 
readinesss to do all in my power to aid in the execution of 
whatever plans may be suggested. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

W. D. SIMPSON, 

Governor. 



29 

A LETTER FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA SEN- 
ATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES. 

Washington, D. C, Febiuary i6th, 1880. 

To Hon. Will. A. Courtenay, Mayor of Charleston, Chairman; 
Hon. IV. K. Blake, of Spartanburg, Vice-CJiairnian, and 
Members of the Cozvpens Centennial Cozvmittee : 

Gentlemen: The undersi^^ned, Senators and Represen- 
tatives in Congress from South Carolina, have learned with 
great pleasure of the plans you have initiated for the ob- 
servance of the one hundredth anniversary of General Mor- 
gan's great victory at Cowpens, appointed for the 17th 
January, 1881; and that the erection of a memorial column, 
with suitable inscriptions, in honor of the brave men who 
fought there, is also determined upon. It is a gratification 
to know that you do not intend a merely local observance 
of the day, and that you propose to invite the active par- 
ticipation of the Governors and citizens of the Old Thirteen 
States, and also of the State of Tennessee, then a part of 
North Carolina, having sons in that fight. This is the true 
spirit of the " Day you Celebrate," for Washington, of Vir- 
ginia, was Commander-in-Chief; Greene, of Rhode Island, 
Commander of the Southern Department, and Morgan, who 
led the fight, was from New Jersey. The Southern, the 
Eastern and the Middle States were thus closely associated 
in the common cause of Independence and self-government, 
and it is a happy thought to unite the citizens of the " Old 
Thirteen" at the close of the century, in honoring the event. 
It has been proposed that the whole country should con- 
tribute, by vote of Congress, a bronze statue of General 
Morgan, to crown the memorial column, and it will be a 
satisfaction to us to second this effort, as also to aid your 
plans in any way we can. 

With our warmest wishes for the success of the patriotic 
work Charleston and Spartanburg have initiated, 
We are, very respectfully, &c., 

M. C. BUTLER, ( ^ . 

WADE HAMPTON, f ^'^"^^"'^^• 

JOHN S. RICHARDSON,] 

M. P. O'CONNOR, I 

D. WYATT AIKEN, \ Representatives. 

G. D. TILLMAN, | 

JOHN H. EVINS, J 



30 

With the President of the United States, Rutherford B. 
Hayes, and his Cabinet, in heartily expressed sympathy 
with this monumental re-union of the " Old Thirteen " and 
Tennessee ; with the assurances of active co-operation, ex- 
pressed in eloquent letters of encouragement from Gover- 
nors Natt Head, of New Hampshire; John D. Long, of 
Massachusetts; H. B. Bigelow, of Connecticut; Alfred H. 
Littlef^eld, of Rhode Island ; A. B. Cornell, of New York ; 
Henry M. Hoyt, of Pennsylvania; George C. Ludlow, of 
New Jersey; John W. Hall, of Delaware; W. T. Hamilton, 
of Maryland; F. W. M. Halliday, of Virginia ; Thomas J. 
Jarvis, of North Carolina; A. H. Colquitt, of Georgia; 
Alvin Hawkins, of Tennessee; with the active and most 
efficient efforts of Governor Johnson Hagood, of South Car- 
olina, it was realized by the Committee that the enlarged 
plans for an imposing Centennial Memorial were reasonably 
assured for successful execution. As I write, there is a mass of 
correspondence before me testifying to the interest of these 
Federal and State of^cials, in the coming re-union : the 
limit of space available in this publication does not justify 
the publication of these public-spirited and patriotic letters, 
and it would be difficult to epitomise their eloquent con- 
tents, it will therefore necessarily suffice to make this per- 
manent and public record of their active and influential 
participation. 

The best thanks of the committee are also eminently 
due, and here publicly acknowledged, to the M.*. W.'. 
Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina, 
and to its Grand Master, who upon accepting the invitation 
of the committee, to lay the corner-stone of the monument 
in October, issued this circular letter to the Grand Masters 
of the Old Thirteen States and Tennessee, enclosing a copy 
of the General Circular Letter of the Committee: 

most worshipful grand lodge of ancient free 
masons of south carolina. 

Office of the Grand Master, ) 

Grand East, V 

Charleston, S. C, i6th August, A. L. 5880. ) 

To M:. W.\ Bro. , 



Grand Master of Masons of the State of .• 

Dear Sir and Brother: With this I beg to enclose 
you a communication received at this office, from Hon. Wm. 



31 

A. Courtenay, Mayor of Charleston. Chairman ; Hon. Win. 
K. Blake, of Spartanburg, Vice-Chairman, and others, con- 
stituting a joint committee of the citizens of the County of 
Spartanburg, S. C and the Washington Light Infantry of 
Charleston, in charge of the arrangements for the erection 
of a monument in honor of the Centennial Anniversary of 
the Battle of Cowpens. The letter speaks for itself. It 
calls for few additional words. 

It is desired to fitl}^ celebrate this historic event. // 7cias 
fougJit for tJic whole country. Every section participated in 
the benefits of the victory. There is to be no sectionalism 
in the commeinoration. 

With these views the committee have labored. And so 
laboring, they have succeeded in arranging for the gather- 
ing together on that occasion of representative men from 
all parts of a common country, to unite with us in recalling 
a common past, and looking forward to a common future. 

Masonry knows no parties. It is confined by the boun- 
daries of no country or kingdom. But Masonry instills the 
love of country among its followers. Its greatest missit^n 
is to promote brotherly love, peace and harmony. And to 
Masonry, too, it belongs to point to the good and true of 
by-gone years, and to draw lessons from their lives and 
characters. 

We are asked, as Masons, to lay this corner-stone. It is 
for a monument to commemorate an event that was of vital 
interest to this whole Union. The civil authorities have 
recognized its unsectional character. The Grand Lodge of 
South Carolina does the same. While lying within our bor- 
ders, we yet wish earnestly and cordially to have the assist- 
ance of our brethren from the North, the East, the West, 
to assist us in the work we are called upon to perform. 
From corner-stone to cap-stone, let us all unite to raise this 
memorial column. Let us lay this corner-stone strongly 
and firmly in the foundations of harmony and good-will, 
and let us bind it together with the cement of brotherly 
love and affection ; and may that cement unite us not only 
as Masons, but as citizens of one country " into one sacred 
band of friends and brothers, among whom no contention 
should ever exist, but that noble contention, or rather emu- 
lation, of who can best work and best agree." 

The place selected, the Town of Spartanburg, is directly 
on the Charlotte and Atlanta Air Line Railioad, and easily 
accessible by through trains from all points. The day fixed, 
7th October, is the anniversary of another revolutionary 



32 

battle, that of King's Mountain, an event itself historic and 
ever to be remembered. 

This goes forth when our country is in rhe midst of the 
heat and excitement of elections. Political strife rages. Is 
it not most proper that we, as Masons, should come to- 
gether, and show, practically, the truths we profess ? Show 
that amid all the political turmoil and the struggle, broth- 
erly love prevails among Masons, and that the patriot's 
heart beats responsive to its sacred tenets, and to the calls 
of our common country. 

It gives me, then, great pleasure to forward to you the 
enclosed communication, and in the name of the Committee 
of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina, and in my own 
name, as Grand Master of Masons of the State, to most 
earnestly and fraternally invite your presence and assist- 
ance in the ceremonies referred to. 

Trusting to receive from you an early and favorable 
reply, and with my kindest regards, 
I am, yours fraternally, 

AUGUSTINE T. SMYTHE, 
Grand Master of Masons of South Carolina. 
Attest: 

Charles Inglesby, 
Grand Secretary, 

Grand Lodge of A. F. M. of South Carolina. 

P. S. — Should you desire to combine with this trip, an 
attendance also on the Centennial Celebration of the Battle 
of King's Mountain, which will be held in the vicinity, ap- 
prise me in season, and be at Spartanburg on the evening 
of October 6th. I will then arrange to have you included 
in a party leaving there for the purpose. 



THE STATE SOCIETIES OF THE CINCINNATI. 



The cordial thanks of the committee are equally due to 
"The State Society of the Cincinnati of South Carolina" 
for their earnest co-operation in this monumental work, not 
only taking an active interest in the centennial project 
themselves, but the late General Wilmot G. DeSaussure, 
President, issued the following circular letter to the State 
Societies in other States : 



33 

State Society of the Cincinnati of So. Ca., ] 
Charleston, 28th June, 1880. \ 

President of the State Society of the Cincinnati of ■ ■ .• 

Dear Sir: I enclose herewith a letter, signed by the 
Honorable William A. Courtenay, Mayor of Charleston, 
Chairman, and a committee of citizens who have voluntarily 
taken upon themselves the labor of seeing that the Centen- 
nial of the Battle of Cowpens be properly commemorated. 
This battle was one of the turning points in the War of the 
Revolution. Foiled in their attempts upon the more North- 
ern States, the British forces had been hurled upon Georgia 
and South Carolina. These States had been overrun, and 
North Carolina was seriously threatened. It was during 
this dark hour that the Battle of Cowpens was fought. As 
one of the results, the British troops were slowly driven 
back, these States re-conquered, and the way prepared for 
Yorktown. It has been deemed proper by the committee 
that a victory attended by such important consequences 
should be fitly commemorated. 

% 'k * ^- 'k -k 'k 

As you will see by the circular, the purpose of the com- 
mittee is to make the proposed monument an historical one, 
and the celebration of the centennial anniversary, a pa- 
triotic pean for the establishment of a government of the 
people, for the people, in this our land. 

With such view, they propose : 

T. The erection of a monument with suitable inscriptions. 

2. The celebration of the centennial, upon the battle- 
ground, by addresses from representative men of the Old 
Thirteen States : One speaking for the New England States, 
one for the Middle States, and one for the Southern States. 

3. The identification, as far as practicable, of the descend- 
ants of those who fought at Cowpens. 

The committee have sent circulars to the Governors of 
these States, asking co-operation in this patriotic work, not 
merely in the pecuniary portion, but in the more important 
part of designating orators, preparing suitable inscriptions, 
and appointing committees, who, co-operating with the 
committee, of which the Honorable Mr. Courtenay is chair- 
man, may assist in making this celebration an expression 
of our common country's reverence for the liberty won by 
our revolutionary ancestors. 

The committee have addressed this Society, as one grow- 
ing out of, and peculiarly commemorative of the Revolu- 



34 

tionary War. asking that they will take an interest in this 
matter. With such request, I gladly comply, andbeg that 
you will bring the matter before the Cincinnati Society of 
on the approaching Anniversary of American Inde- 
pendence. The letter is so full that I specially ask your 
particular attention to its details. 

I would ask that your Society, the custodian of the mem- 
ories of our revolutionary ancestors, would appoint a com- 
mittee to co-operate with the Governor of your State in 
bringing the application for an appropriation before the 
Legislature, in co-operating with him in the selection of an 
orator for your section of the Continental States; and in 
the preparation of such suitable inscription for the panel 
appropriated to your section, as will make it an historical 
one. And that a committee be raised to co-operate with 
the committee, of which the Honorable Mr. Courtenay is 
Chairman, in all such matters as the committee may deem 
advisable for the proper celebration of this centennial. 

I am, dear sir, with assurances of much respect. 
Your obedient servant. 

WILMOT G. DeSAUSSURE, 
President State Society of the Cincinnati of So. Ca. 

As will be seen, the several Societies of the Cincinnati in 
the New England, Middle and Southern States were re- 
quested to confer with the several Governors, and assist in 
preparing the inscriptions for the three bronze panels, one 
for each group of States. To this wise action, so judiciously 
carried out, the committee were fortunate in securing the 
excellent records which ornament this beautiful and impo.s- 
ing war monument, and which as well gives patriotic ex- 
pression from these three groups of States to present and 
future generations of our common country. 

LAYING THE CORNER STONE. 

Spartanburg, S. C, October 7th, 1880. 

A Special Communication of the Grand Lodge of Ancient 
Freemasons of South Carolina, was held in the City of 
Spartanburg, in the Hall of Spartan Lodge, No. 70, at 8.30 
o'clock P. M. 

PRESENT. 

M. W. Bro. Augustine T. Smythe, Grand Master. 

W. Bro. R. E. iirewton, Acting Deputy Grand Master. 



35 

W. Bro. J. A. Henneman, Acting Senior Grand Warden. 

R. W. Bro. VV. VV. Humphreys, Junior Grand Warden. 

W. Bro. W. T. Russell, Acting Grand Treasurer. 

R. W. Bro. Charles Inglesby, Grand Secretary. 

W. and Rev. Bro. J. M. Carlisle, Acting Grand Chaplain, 

W. Bro. J. B. McFadden, Senior Grand Deacon. 

R. W. Bro. A. H. White, Acting Senior Grand Deacon. 

W. Bro. H. D. Floyd, \ ^ ,■ r ■ n ^ r^ 

wT \:> T Tj r^ T J ■ Actmg J unior Grand Deacons. 

W. Bro. J. B. O. Land rum, \ ^ ■' 

W. Bro. J. W. Holtzclaw, Acting Grand Marshal. 

W. Bro. M. C. Cox, Acting Grand Pursuivant. 

W. Bro. Elliott Mason, ) a ^- n jo. i 

\\i \y T 1 T31 1 A t Acting Grand Stewards. 

W. Bro. John Blackwood, \ ^ 

W. Bro. J. B. Hinnant, Acting Grand Tyler. 

And the Representatives of many of the Subordinate 
Lodges. 

There were also present by special invitation of the M. W. 
Grand Master, M. W. Bro. James M. Mobley, Grand Master 
of Georgia ; M. W. Bro. J. W. Barlow, Grand Master of 
Connecticut, and M. W. Bro. Robt. B. Vance, P. G. M. of 
North Carolina. 

The Grand Lodge was opened in Ample Form on the 
First Degree in Masonry. 

The Grand Master announced that as Grand Master of 
Masons of South Carolina, he had been invited by the Cow- 
pens Centennial Committee to lay, with Masonic ceremo- 
nies, the corner-stone of the monument in the Town of 
Spartanburg, to be erected in commemoration of the Battle 
of Cowpens. That in recognition of the fact, that although 
achieved on South Carolina soil, the victory was of no one 
section ; that men from the North and the South mingled 
their blood freely in defence of a common country, it had 
been the desire of the committee to impart a national char- 
acter to the celebration, and to this end, they had requested 
him to extend an invitation to the Grand Masters of the 
original Thirteen States and of Tennessee, to be present 
and take part in the ceremonies. That pursuant to this 
invitation we were honored with the presence of M. W. Bro. 
James M. Mobley, Grand Master of Georgia; M. W. Bro. 
John H. Barlow, Grand Master of Connecticut; M. W. Bro. 
Geii. Robert B. Vance, P. G. Master of North Carolina, and 
the Representatives of the other Thirteen States and of 
Tennessee, who had been specially deputised for the occa- 
sion. The Grand Master stated that the ceremonies had 
been appointed to take place at night, because an opportu- 



36 

nity was thus given to those attending the Centennial Cele- 
bration at King's Mountain to be present at this. 

The Grand Secretary read the order of procession, and 
the Grand Master having given his instructions to the Craft, 
the Acting Grand Marshal, W. Bro. J. W. Holtzclaw, formed 
the procession, which marched to the site of the m.onument, 
on the public square, in the following order : 

Music. 

Tyler with drawn sword. 

Two Deacons with staves. 

Two Standards (Faith and Hope). 

The Masonic Fraternity in the order of Degrees. 

Tyler with drawn sword. 

Two Deacons with staves. 

Two Standards (Charity and Wisdom). 

Secretaries of Lodges. 

Treasurers of Lodges. 

Junior Wardens of Lodges with pillars. 

Senior Wardens of Lodges with pillars. 

Masters of Lodges with hirams. 

Tyler with drawn sword. 

Two Deacons with staves. 

Two Standards (Strength and Beauty). 

Grand Tyler with drawn sword. 

Grand Stewards, with white rods. 

The Architect, carrying the implements. 

Grand Pursuivant. 

Grand Secretary, with green bag. 

Grand Treasurer, with staff. 

The Holy Bible, Square and Compasses. 

Grand Chaplain. 

The Cowpens Centennial Committee, consisting of Hon. 

Wm. A. Courtenay, Mayor of Charleston, Chairman ; 

Past Grand Master Wm. K. Blake, Vice-Chairman ; 

Dr. H. S. Heintish, Capt. Charles Petty, Gen. 

J. C. Anderson, Col. T. Stobo Farrow, Dr. 

J. B. O. Landrum, Capt. S. S. Ross, 

Capt. Geo. D. Bryan, Lieut. Geo. 

B. Edwards and a detachment 

of the Washington Light 

Lifantry of Charleston, 

bearing the Eutaw 

Flag. 

Two Junior Grand Deacons with staves. 



37 

Grand Wardens. 

Deputy Grand Master. 

Book of Constitutions. 

Grand Master, supported by two Senior Grand Deacons 

with staves. 

Two Tylers with drawn swords. 

A magnificent arch had been erected near the stand, and 
upon arriving at the arch, the procession, numbering over 
five hundred, halted, opened ranks, while the officers of the 
Grand Lodge, the Cowpens Centennial Committee and the 
visiting Grand Masters, passing under the arch ascended the 
stage, upon which was a parlor organ and a fine choir of 
eight male voices under the leadership of Prof. A. T. Peete, 
assisted by Professors W. B. North and W. N. Johnson. 

The ceremonies were ushered in with a very handsome 
display of fireworks, which continued throughout the pro- 
ceedings. The square was brilliantly illuminated by Chinese 
lanterns, locomotive headlights, the gas lamps of the city 
and a number of lanterns arranged around the stand. Sus- 
pended over the site of the monument was a large United 
States flag. 

Past Grand Master Wm. K. Blake, in eloquent and patri- 
otic language, as Vice-Chairman of the Cowpens Centennial 
Committee, explained the objects and purposes of the cele- 
bration, and gracefully introduced to the very large assem- 
blage, M. W. Grand Master Augustine T. Smythe, who 
having suitably responded, instructed the Grand Secretary 
to make the proper announcement, whereupon R. W. Bro. 
Charles Inglesby, Grand Secretary, made the following pro- 
clamation : 

" Brethren, and all who are present, take notice that this 
is the order of the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Ma- 
sons of South Carolina, that he will now proceed to lay the 
corner-stone of the Monument in honor of the Centennial 
Anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens. You will conduct 
yourselves in harmony with the solemnity of the hour." 

The choir, consisting of the Professors above named and 
Messrs. W. E. Burnett, W. H. Mitchell, W. S. Thomason, 
J. B. Jones, L. T. Lester and J. R. Anderson, sang with 
marked effect the Masonic Ode "When Earth's Foundation." 

A copper box containing the mementoes of the occasion 
was deposited within an excavation (prepared for that pur- 
pose in the stone,) by Acting Grand Treasurer W. Bro. W. 
T. Russell. 



38 

When the Grand Master called upon the Grand Treas- 
urer to deposit within the corner-stone the box containing 
the relics, Past Grand Master Blake stepped forward and 
stated that he held in his hand a most interesting relic of 
the Battle of Cowpens, which he offered in behalf of Mrs. 
Harriet Ann Stuckey, the granddaughter of John Ken- 
nedy, a native of North Carolina, v/ho survived until No- 
vember 29, 1 83 1. Before he was of military age he volun- 
teered in the American army, and upon the call for men to 
resist Col. Tarleton's advance into upper Carolina, being at 
home on leave, he marched with rifle and knapsack from 
Camden to Cowpens and participated in that victory. This 
relic was a lock of John Kennedy's hair, which has been 
preserved through three generations. John Kennedy 
Stuckey, of Spartanburg, of the fourth generation, by invi- 
tation, placed this relic in the copper box prepared for the 
corner-stone. Mrs. Stuckey, too feeble to be present, 
looked from her window at the ceremonies. 

The following is a list of the records which were also de- 
posited in the corner-stone: 

Roll of President and Cabinet. 

Members of the United States Supreme Court. 

Governors of all the States and Territories. 

Senators and Representatives of the Forty-Sixth Con- 
gress. 

South Carolina State officers. 

Mayor and Aldermen and Public Boards of Charleston. 

Intendant and Wardens of Spartanburg. 

Historical sketch of Wofford College and Literary Socie- 
ties and ofificers. 

Graduates of the College of Charleston. 

Proceedings of Grand Lodge of South Carolina, A. L. 

5879. 

Roster and By-Laws Chicora Chapter Royal Arch Masons, 
and Spartan Lodge, No. 70, A. F. M., Landmark Lodge, 
No. 76, A. F. M., Charleston. 

Portrait of General Wade Hampton. 

Copies of invitations to the Governors of the Old Thir- 
teen States and Tennessee to co-operate in the erection of 
this memorial column. 

Copies of circular letters issued by the committee of ar- 
rangements in relation to this work ; also correspondence 
with the State Society of Cincinnati of South Carolina and 
other States on this subject. 

Constitution, By-Laws and Rolls of the Washington Light 
Lifantry of Charleston. 



39 

Eutaw and Cowpens Banner Song. 

Copies of the News and Courier and Boston Post con- 
taining accounts of the W. L. I.'s visit to Boston on the 
lyth June, 1875. 

The News and Courier, with an account of the W. L. I.'s 
visit to Philadelphia, on the 4th of July, 1876. 

W. L. I. Rolls at the Boston and Philadelphia parades. 

Roll of 113 W. L. I. dead, Companies A and B, 25th S. 
C. V. (Simonton's Regiment), and Company A, Hampton 
Legion Infantry, C. S. A. 

Pamphlet containing an account of Governor Hampton's 
first visit to Charleston, in April, 1877, ^'id opening of the 
W L. I. Armory. 

Copies of the News and Courier containing " Cotton Mills 
of South Carolina." 

Mrs. L. Virginia P^-ench's poem, " Liberty Bells," dedi- 
cated to the Centennial Legion, on the 4th of July, 1876. 

Accounts of the King's Mountain Centennial, as far as 
received, and other records of local interest. 

Miller's Almanac, and a statement of the condition of the 
National Bank of Spartanburg. 

The stone was then lowered into position by three regu- 
lar motions, when after an earnest and fervent prayer by 
Rev. Bro. J. M. Carlisle, Acting Grand Chaplain, the 
architect presented to the Grand Master the implements, 
consisting of the square, level and plumb. The Grand Mas- 
ter severally handed the implements to M. W. Bros. Mob- 
ley, of Georgia; Barlow, of Connecticut ; Vance, of North 
Carolina, and P. G. M. W. K. Blake, representing the Grand 
Lodge of New York, and R. W. Bro. Charles Inglesby, 
representing the Grand Lodge of New Jersey, requesting 
each of them to try the stone. This having been severally 
done, and each having pronounced the stone to be "well 
formed, true and trusty," the Grand Master himself tested 
the stone, and announced as follows: "I have tried and 
proved this stone by plumb, square and level, and pro- 
nounce it to be well formed, true and trusty." The Corn, 
Wine and Oil were respectively poured upon the stone by 
the Acting Deputy Grand Master, Acting Senior Grand 
Warden and by the Junior Grand Warden, after which the 
Grand Master and other Grand Ofificers re-ascended the 
platform. 

The Acting Grand Marshal having made due proclama- 
tion, the public Grand Honors of Masonry were given by 
three times three. 



40 



The Grand Master having returned the implements to 
the architect and placed him in charge of the work, the 
choir sang the ode, "Let There Be Light." 

The Grand Master then pronounced the usual exhorta- 
tion to the Craft, after which appropriate and eloquent 
addresses were delivered by the visiting Grand Masters, 
James M. Mobley, of Georgia; John H. Barlow, of Con- 
necticut, and P. G. Master Robert B. Vance, of North 
Carolina. 

The Grand Master called to the attention of the assem- 
bly that there were present a most interesting relic of the 
Battle of Cowpens and of the Revolution, viz., the Eutaw 
flag, in charge of Capt. George D. Bryan, Lieut. Edwards, 
and a color-guard from the W. L. L of Charleston. He 
requested Private C. Y, Richardson of the color-guard to 
bring forward the historic banner and place it at the front 
of the stand. The Eutaw flag was brought forward amid 
deafening applause and the strains of "Dixie" by the band. 

"Hail, Masonry Divine," was finely rendered by the choir, 
during the singing of which the Grand Stewards took up a 
collection among the Craft for the needy workmen, and the 
sum collected was placed in charge of the architect. A 
benediction having been pronounced by the Grand Chap- 
lain, the procession was re-formed and marched back to the 
hall of Spartan Lodge, No. 70. 

Where the Grand Lodge was closed in Ample Form. 

CHARLES INGLESBY, 

Grand Secretary. 




41 



A Necessary Postponement. 

As the year iSSodrew to a close it was fully realized that 
the very extensive details connected with the preparatory 
work of the memorial could not be accomplished by Cen- 
tennial Day. The aim and purpose of the committee was 
to unveil the completed work on 17th January, 1881, but 
after exhausting all efforts available by correspondence, the 
official action of New Hampshire and Connecticut, of the 
New England States; of the four Middle States, and of 
Maryland and Georgia of the Southern States, could not be 
had in season for the completion of the whole work by the 
date of the one hundredth anniversary of the victory. Leg- 
islatures had not been, and would not be, in session, to take 
action, in advance of the date fixed, and as the leading 
motive was the re-union of these States, in joint action on 
the day and for the event to be celebrated, the real object 
would have been then defeated, as a brief delay only was 
necessary to secure the desired result, and the spring sea- 
son of the year would be a more propitious time, a post- 
ponement was determined upon. 

Therefore, on ist January, 188 1, the committee, through 
the telegraphic service of the Associated Press, were reluc- 
tantly compelled to announce a delay in the ceremonies 
until May nth. It proved to be in every respect a most 
fortunate decision ; the four months' time was all really 
needed, not only for the action of the States named, but 
the distinguished sculptor, Mr. Ward, who had been com- 
missioned by Congress to furnish the bronze statue of 
General Morgan, required more time for his grand work. 

As the spring-time came every detail had been completed ; 
the great blocks of stone to form the column were brought 
to Spartanburg. A skillful stone mason, Mr. Grant, reared 
his great derricks, and on the substantial foundation, laid 
months before, the column, in all its massive proportions, 
slowly but surely reached its height. In due course came 
an enormous sized box, containing over a ton weight of 
finest bronze, which, when opened, revealed, in heroic size, 
the face and form of the commanding officer at Cowpens — 
one who rose from teamster to the high rank of Major 
General in the United States Army. Soon this grand work 
of the sculptor's art was safely raised to its place on the 
column, and draped from the public gaze until, with impres- 
sive ceremonies, it would be unveiled and saluted with the 
cheers of many thousands, amid the booming of cannon and 
the inspiring strains of martial music. 



42 

In preparation for the eventful day, a description of this 
battle monument should form part of the record. The de- 
sign was prepared by the late Col. Edward B. White, of 
Charleston, architect. 

It is in a simple and unpretentious style, which is cer- 
tainly in keeping with the character of the hero of the 
fight, while the sturdy dignity of the architectural portion 
of the design is calculated to arouse in the minds of those 
who behold it that veneration and respect, and quiet admi- 
ration for its proportions, which the Doric order always 
commands 

The monument is properly divided into three different 
parts, viz : The base, the shaft, and the statue, which stands 
upon its abacus. 

The base, which is octagonal in plan, is composed of four 
members. The base proper, which is a complete octagon, 
is in two pieces, and is the only portion of the monument 
containing a perpendicular joint, all the other separate 
members being in one piece ; this base is eleven feet in 
diameter, anH one and one-half feet thick. The sub-base is 
in one piece of stone eight feet and three inches in diame- 
ter; a "wash" of about one inch in height is cut on the 
base and sub-base, forming a bevelled face from the outer 
edge of the base to the sub-base, and from the outer edge 
of the sub-base to the die-block ; this bevelled face, although 
a utilitarian feature, by anticipating as it were the taper of 
the die-block, avoid the violent contrast which would other- 
wise exist between perfectly square corners and the softer 
outline of the die-block. The die-block (resting immedi- 
ately upon the sub-base) is at the bottom, five and one-half 
feet in diameter; it is four and one-half feet in height to 
the architrave, and tapers to a diameter of four and two- 
thirds feet at that point. The architrave which finishes the 
base is composed of three members, the cavette, lillet and 
level, a common but appropriate combination, and in keep- 
ing with the simple character of the design. At this point 
the base of the monument terminates and the shaft begins. 

The shaft, a simple truncated cone, three feet and two- 
thirds in diameter at the base, and three feet and one-third 
at the point of juncture with the cap, is little less than 
three diameters high, crowned with a moulded cap, in which 
the strict "severity of the Doric has given place to a freer 
mode of treatment; inasmuch as in this case the mouldings 
are much lighter, and the number of the members greater; 
the members composing the capitol are a counter-sunk 





The Cextenxial Memorial 

TO 

The Victors of the Cowpens, 
Unveiled at the City of Spartanburg, S. C, i8Si. 



44 

fillet or cincture ; an elongated cavette carved with the 
usual leaf and dart; a fillet, an ogee (the largest member); 
the whole terminated by the square abacus, which is four 
feet and five inches across. From the ground to the top of 
the abacus is twenty-one feet. 

THE INSCRIPTIONS. 

The following inscriptions appear in the bronze panels on 
the North, South, East and West faces: 

[east face.] 

(General Inscription.) 

To 
The American Soldiers, 

who, 

On the Field of Cowpens, 

January 17th, 1781, 

Fought victoriously 

for 

The Right of Self-Government 

and 

Civil Liberty. 

We enjoy the result of their toil 

and sacrifice, let us emulate 

their fortitude and virtue. 

This Column is erected by the 

States of 

New Hampshire, Massachusetts, 

Connecticut, Rhode Island, 

New York, New Jersey, 

Pennsylvania, Delaware, 

Maryland, North Carolina, 

Virginia, Georgia, 

and 

South Carolina. 

THE OLD THIRTEEN STATES, 

and 

The State of Tennessee, 

1S81. 

MORGAN. 

[on the sub-base this record.] 

The Unanimous Resolve 

of 

THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES 

crowns 

This Memorial Column with the form and face 

of 

GENERAL DANIEL MORGAN, 

The hero of Cowpens, who, on that field, was 
victorious in the great cause of 

AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE. 



45 

[north face.] 

(New England States.) 

N. H.— MASS.— R. I.— CONN. 

To 

Patriotism and the Brave. 

Forever 

In the past is sacrifice. 

In tlie future 

Progress. 

Liberty and Union. 

HOWARD. 

[west face,] 

(Southern States.) 

One hundred years ago 

Tlie men 

of the North and the South 

fought together, 

and by their blood secured 

the Independence, 

and cemented the Union of the 

American States. 
The Bond that then bound them 

together is the 

Bond of their fellow-countrymen 

to-day. 

The common country 

they created is the heritage of all 

their sons. 

The perpetuation of the Republic 

of their Fathers 

is the safety and honor 

of North and South, 

Alike the sentiment and duty of all 

the States. 

EsTO Perpetua. 

WM. WASHINGTON. 



[on the sub-base this record.] 

THE WASHINGTON LIGHT INFANTRY, 

To whose custody 

The widow of Col. Wm. Washington, 

Committed his crimson battle-flag. 

Projected this Memorial Column, and participated 

in its dedication, again unfurling 

" The glorious Standard, which at Eutaw shone 

so bright. 

And as a dazzling meteor swept thro' the 

Cowpens deadly fight." 



46 

[south face.] 
(Middle States.) 

1 78 1. 

ONE PEOPLE. 

No North, No South, 

No East, No West. 

A COMMON INTEREST, 

One Country — One Destiny. 

1881. 

As IT Was, so Ever Let it Be. 

PICKENS. 

THE MORGAN STATUE. 

Mr. J. Q. A. Ward was fully occupied for nine consecu- 
tive months in the preparation of this magnificent piece of 
statuary art, which so grandly crowns this noble doric 
column, and which fulfills perfectly every requirement of 
the Joint Resolution of Congress, as appears from the fol- 
lowing ofBcial report : 

Office of Public Buildings and Grounds, ) ■ 
Old Building, Navy Department, 17TH Street, v 
Washington, D. €., February 26th, 1881. ) 
To His Excellency Johnson Hagood, Governor of the State of 
South Carolina, Cohimbia, South Carolina : 
Sir — I am directed by the Secretary of War to enclose 
herewith a copy of a report made by the officer detailed by 
the War Department to inspect the finished statue of 
General Daniel Morgan, as executed by Mr. J. O. A. Ward, 
for the United States, under the Joint Resolution of Con- 
gress, approved May 26th, 1 880, and contract consequent 
thereupon. It would be esteemed a favor by the Secretary 
if the contents of this paper could be communicated to the 
Cowpens Centennial Committee, their address not being- 
known to this of^ce. 

The artist has been informed of the satisfaction of the 
Government with his work, and he will proceed under his 
contract to deliver the statue, through your Excellency, to 
the Cowpens Centennial Committee, as provided by the law 
and his contract. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

THOS. LINCOLN CASEY, 
Lieutenant-Colonel of Engineers U. S. A., 
In Charge of Public Buildings and Grounds. 
(53-r. B. G.-1881.) 



47 

War Department, ) 

Bureau of Military Justice, ^ 

Washington, D. C, February 23d, 1881. ) 

Brig.-Geii. R. C. Drum, Adjutant-General U. S. A.: 

General — I have the honor to report that I have in- 
spected in compHance with Special Orders 41, Adjutant- 
General's Office, February i8th, 1881. and the letter of 
instructions accompanying said order, the bronze statue, by 
Mr. J. O. A. Ward, of New York, of General Daniel Morgan, 
who commanded the American forces at the Battle of the 
Cowpens, in 1781. 

The statue has been cast at the foundry of Bureau Bros. 
& Heaton, in Philadelphia, from a design and model pre- 
pared by Mr. Ward, under a contract made by him with 
Lieut. Col. Thomas L. Casey, acting for and in behalf of the 
United States ; its construction being authorized by a Joint 
Resolution of the Senate and House of Representatives, 
approved May 26, 1880, and which directed that the statue 
of General Morgan should be made of bronze, " of heroic 
."ize, and in the uniform of the rifleman of the period." 

The contract with Mr. Ward provides that the statue 
shall be made of fine bronze, " of heroic size, and in the 
uniform of the rifleman of the period of the Revolution," 
and " shall be executed in the best manner of the said J. Q. 
A. Ward, and according to the requirem.ents of art." 

Your instructions directed me to " inspect the said statue 
and report whether, in your judgment, the statue fulfills 
the requirements of the Joint Resolution and contract con- 
sequent thereupon." 

1 respectfully repoit that in my judgment the statue 
fulfills perfectly every requirement of both Joint Resolution 
and contract." 

The height is nine feet, its weight about 2,000 pounds, 
and its material a fine golden bronze, which will gradually 
darken with time and exposure to the air. 

The weight of the body is supported on the right leg and 
foot, the left leg a little behind the other, slightly bent, and 
its heel raised from the ground. 

The head is turned partly to the left, the left arm crosses, 
but does not touch the heart, and the right arm hangs at 
the side and somewhat behind the body, its hand holding a 
sword, of which the blade points directly to the front, the 
point a little depressed. 



48 

The features are very noble in expression. The head is 
covered with a high cap of fur, having on its left side a 
pompon of pine leaves. 

The dress is a loose frock, trimmed with fringe on both 
shoulders, down the front, and on the lower edge all round ; 
and meeting the pantaloons of apparently the same mate- 
rial, also fringed in corresponding style. 

The feet are in moccasins. A sheath on the left hip, a 
sash round the waist, and belts, partially hidden by the sash, 
indicates the rank of the wearer. A powder-horn is slung 
on the right side of the body. 

The dignity and grace, as well as lightness of the statue, 
which appears to be intended to represent General Morgan 
as advancing at the head of his men to the field of battle, 
or it may be engaging in and directing the pursuit of the 
enemy, are remarkable and worthy of all praise. 

A portrait of General Morgan in rifleman's dress, drawn 
by T. Herring, from a sketch by Colonel Trumbull, and 
engraved by Prudhomme, is given in the second volume 
of a work entitled " National Portrait Gallery of Distin- 
guished Americans," published by Rice, Rutter & Co., in 
1867, in Philadelphia. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 
(Signed,) H. PELHAM CURTIS, 

Major, Judge Advocate, U. S. A. 

As too much cannot be written of this statue, in its ma- 
jestic beauty and simplicity, I make an extract from a pri- 
vate letter of the distinguished American sculptor, which 
will be perused with deep interest : 

''After reading the biography of General Morgan, and 
studying the history of his military career, I felt it essential 
to a proper portrayal of his character, that the statue should 
represent a man of action — intrepid, aggressive, alert — at 
the same time I wished to indicate, by certain movements 
of the head and left arm, that there was a sympathetic 
quality, even a tenderness, in the nature of the daring 
General. 

" I represented him with drawn sword, advancing with his 
troops, his attention for the moment attracted by some 
movement of the enemy on his left. 

"The costume I found portrayed very accurately by 
Trumbull, which agreed with all recorded descriptions. 





Bronze Statue of General Daniel Morgan, 

By J. Q. A. Ward, Sculptor, 

Ordered by Resolution of the 46th Congress, 
to crown the Column of Victory. 

Erected by the "Old Thirteen" States and Tennessee, 
in the City of Spartanburg, S. C. 

1881. 



50 



" The coat or tunic was a fringed hunting shirt, a gar- 
ment adopted from the Indian costume, and much worn by 
the frontiersmen of that time. 

" The fringed leggins and moccasins belonged to the same 
costume, which was used by Morgan's Riflemen. 

" The cap, a pecuHar one of fur, with a cluster of pine 
leaves as a sort of pompon, was loaned me by a gentleman 
of Charleston, through the kindness of the Hon. VVm. A. 
Courtenay. This was an original cap, preserved from the 
Revolutionary War. Although the sword and sash which 
belonged to his rank were used, yet I added the powder- 
horn, as an indication of Morgan's characteristic disposition 
to use his rifle whenever the occasion admitted. Of course, 
the manner of wearing the hair, the cravat and ruffled shirt 
front are all in the mode of his time." 




(^roWi)ing tfie f er)t(ir^» 



Fitting Honors, at Last, to the Men of Cowpens — 
A National Day at Spartanburg, S. C. 



H SALUTE of thirteen guns, fired at sunrise by the 
Columbia Flying Artillery, Capt. J. Q. Marshall, and 
the Spartanburg Light Artillery, Capt. T. B. Martin, ushered 
in the glories of this memorable day, their thunder rever- 
berating through the valleys and shaking the foundation of 
this historic town. 

During the entire night the streets resounded with the 
tramp of armed legions, and for the last forty-eight hours 
civilians and soldiers had been arriving in constantly increas- 
ing numbers, special trains were employed on all the rail- 
roads. Lines of hacks communicated with the neighboring 
towns, and every conceivable conveyance has been pressed 
into service for this splendid occasion. Every hotel and 
private house is crowded to its utmost capacity, and many 
eager patriots passed last night by their camp fires, which 
blazed here and there upon the neighboring hills, with the 
stars for their sentinels and the heavens for a canopy. 

Seats were arranged all along the streets and the public 
square in front of the Court House, where the memorial 
column has been erected, resembles an immense amphi- 
theatre, the seats rising in tiers above each other. Bunting 
of the most gorgeous patterns and flags of every nation 
float in the mountain breezes, while the centennial stand 
and the monument are hung with intricately wrought floral 
wreaths and decorations, the whole forming a scene of sur- 
passing beauty and brilliancy. The stand is hung with 
evergreens and gay colored ribbons, in which the " red, 
white and blue" are conspicuous, and with wreaths of 
exquisite flowers, contributed by the patriotic women of 
this city. Over the front of the stand the decorations rise 
into an arch of striking symmetry and loveliness, the crown 
of the arch being surmounted by the State colors, the only 
Palmetto Flag displayed. In front of the Court House 
upon a ground of blue, in large silver letters, are the figures 
1 78 1 — 1 88 1. Under the arch over the spacious stand is the 



52 

magic word "Cowpens," and running along the front upon 
a ground of white, worked in evergreen letters, are the 
names of Morgan, Pickens, Washington and Howard, On 
the stage at the extreme right is a beautiful silken banner, 
bearing the Palmetto Coat of Arms and the dates 1781 — 
1 88 1. On the left is a banner containing the Coat of Arms of 
Georgia. On each column supporting the canopy is a cluster 
of United States Flags, while the National colors are looped 
and intertwined over the front of the stand. Suspended 
between the stores of Hon. W. K. Blake, the Chairman of 
the Spartanburg Committee, there is a beautiful crimson 
banner, upon which are in letters of gold the words "One 
Hundred Years Ago," and in front of the Merchants' Hotel 
is the huge National Flag of the Holy Communion Church 
Institute of Charleston, its folds almost reaching to the 
earth beneath. Directly in front of the stand and near the 
monument, at the headquarters of the W. L. I., some thirty 
flags, of almost every design, are strung across the street, 
the Flag of the Washington Light Infantry occupying the 
centre of the line. Suspended by an almost invisible wire 
is an eagle bearing the shield of the Union, and carrying in 
its beak a ribbon marked 1781 — 1881. The eagle, with 
v/ings extended, is constructed of white immortelles, and 
hovers over the monument. It cost $150, and was pre- 
sented to the Ladies' Committee on Decorations by Hon. 
James F. Wenm.an, President of the New York Board of 
Park Commissioners. 

At half-past 9 o'clock a signal of three guns was fired by 
the Columbia Artillery and 

THE TROOPS WERE MASSED 

In Main Street, to the east of the railroad track, and formed 
into two brigades, the Fourth Brigade, under the command 
of Brigadier-General C Irvine Walker, embracing ever}/ 
military command in the City of Charleston, occupying the 
right of the line, and the Second, or Centennial Brigade, 
made up of all the other commands present, under the 
command of Colonel Hugh S. Thompson, the left of the 
line. The entire body of troops was under command of 
General John C. Anderson, commanding the Thirteenth 
Brigade of South Carolina State Troops. Acting upon 
General Anderson's staff was Major Vardry McBee, of 
Greenville, and Major Smith, of Spartanburg. Major R.C. 
Gilchrist, of Charleston, was detailed by Adjutant-General 
Manigault to assist in the formation of the line. 



53 

General H. I. Hunt, of the United States Army, acted as 
reviewing officer of the day. In the terrible political ex- 
citement in Charleston, in November, 1876, which ended in 
riot and bloodshed. General Hunt, U. S. A., was in com- 
mand of that post, with two small Companies of United 
States Troops. Through his wise and firm conduct on that 
memorable occasion, order was restored and the rioters 
dispersed. For his dignified and effective services on that 
occasion, the honor of reviewing the volunteer troops on 
this centennial occasion, was with great unanimity tendered 
him, through Governor Hagood. This gallant gentleman 
has since passed away, but he will be long remembered in 
South Carolina, and especially in Charleston, for his patri- 
otic conduct in trying times. His staff was composed of 
Lieutenants J. M. Baldwin and Daniel Morgan Taylor, of 
the United States Army, and Colonels S B. Pickens, 
McHenry Howard and J. B. Washington, lineal descendants 
of heroes of Cowpens. 

The following officers participated in the review as mem- 
bers of Governor Hagood's staff : Lieutenant-Colonels Til- 
man Watson, of Columbia ; J. G. Clinkscales, of Anderson ; 
George T. Graham, of Lexington ; O. L. Schumpert, of 
Newberry ; L. DuBos, of Charleston, and W. R. Davie, of 
Chester. 

At 10 o'clock General Hunt received the division in line 
and rode around in review. He then took his stand in front 
of the centennial stage and reviewed the troops while they 
passed before him in platoons. The troops marched 
promptly forward and presented a fine appearance, keeping 
the step with all the precision of American veterans. The 
column was headed by the veteran Eutaw (W. L. L) Band, 
of Charleston, and moved in the following order: 

FIRST REGIMENT OF RIFLES, 

Colonel W. M. Bruns, commanding ; Lieutenant-Colonel, L, 
DeB. McCrady; Captain J. L. Gantt, Jr., Adjutant; A. C. 
Manigault, Quartermaster ; Dr. P. Gourdin DeSaussure, 
Surgeon ; Captain A. J. Chisolm, Aide. 

German Artillery, Charleston, Captain F. W. Wagener 
commanding, and the Lafayette Artillery, Charleston, 
Captain B. F. Mantoue commanding the Battalion of Ar- 
tillery. 

Sumter Guards, Charleston, Captain C. F. Hard. 

Charleston Riflemen, Charleston, Captain W. E. Butler. 



54 

Montgomery Guards, Charleston, Captain James F. Red- 
ding. 

Palmetto Guard, Charleston, Captain Samuel Wiley. 

Irish Volunteers, Charleston, Captain P. O'Neill. 

German Fusiliers, Charleston, Captain Henry Schachte. 

Fifth Artillery Band, United States Army. 

Washington Light Infantry, Charleston, Captain George 
D. Bryan, Color Company, with the Cowpens Flag, and an 
elegant U. S. Flag, of heavy silk, presented by the Military 
of Boston, 1875. 

Carolina Rifle Battalion, Major Thomas Frost, Jr. ; Lieu- 
tenant Trezevant Williams, Adjutant; J. G. Holmes, Jr., 
Paymaster; W. J. McCormack, Quartermaster. Company 
A of Battalion, Lieutenant C. F. Hanckel commanding ; 
Company B, Captain W. St. Julien Jervey commanding. 

German Hussars, Captain Gerhard Riecke. 

Acting upon General C. I. Walker's Staff were Colonel 
Arthur Mazyck, Adjutant ; Major VVohlers, Quartermaster ; 
Major D. O'Neill, Paymaster, and Major C. R. Holmes, 
Aide. 

PALMETTO REGIMENT, 

Colonel Hugh S. Thompson, commanding; Lieutenant- 
Colonel A. H. White, Major J. K. Marshall, Adjutant John 
P. Thomas, Jr., Quartermaster J. M. Morris, Sergeant Major 
C. M. Tew. 

Governor's Guards, Columbia, Captain Wilie Jones. 

Richland Volunteers, Columbia, Captain R. M. Richbourg. 

Columbia Flying Artillery, with battery of two i2-pound- 
ers, Captain J. Q. Marshall. 

Gordon Light Infantry, Winnsboro', Captain W. G. 
Jordan. 

Lee Light Infantry, Chester, Lieutenant John McFaddin. 

Catawba Rifles, Rock Hill, Captain Allen Jones. 

Greenville Cadets, Captain J. B. Patrick. 

King's Mountain Military Institute Cadets, Colonel As- 
bury Coward. 

Carolina Military Institute Cadets, Charlotte, Colonel 
John P. Thomas. 

Butler Guards, Greenville, Captain Waddy Thompson. 

Color-Bearer W. H. Chapman, of. the Palmetto Guards, 
carried the Fort Moultrie Centennial Standard, presented 
by Miss Julia G. Elliott, granddaughter of Mrs. Elliott. 
Color-Bearer HallT. McGee carried the bullet-riddled battle 
flag borne by the Company in the Confederate War. 



55 

There were about eight hundred troops in line, and not 
less than eighteen thousand persons were present. 

Ceremonies at the Monument. 

The mellow notes of the town bell had scarcely tolled 
the hour of noon when the sound of drums which had been 
hushed for a short time could be heard again on all sides. 
A few minutes later the troops came up to the stand with 
colors flying and bands gayly playing martial music. The 
VV. L. I. formed in hollow square around the monument, 
and the colors consisting of the historic Eutaw Flag and the 
National Colors were borne to the stage and given a promi- 
nent place at the side of the speaker's desk. The Eutaw 
Flag was borne by Treasurer F, H. Honour, W. L. I., and 
the U. S. Colors were borne by Color Sergeant F. P. Salas, 
an old member of the W. L. I. The other troops were 
massed in front and on the side of the stand, and the multi- 
tude of civilians stretched out as far the eye could see, 
north, south, east and west, to the back and to the front. 
On the house tops, on the balconies, on the tiers of seats, in 
the windows, everywhere an endless sea of people met the 
gaze. Old men and young men, white and black, in all 
conceivable dresses, old matrons, young girls and little 
children, all crowded together, forming a dense back ground 
to the solid phalanx of soldiers which closely surrounded 
the stand. The sun up to this time had beat down upon 
the unprotected heads of the crowd with relentless severity, 
but as if in tender sympathy for the celebrants of so great 
and glorious an occasion, white-winged clouds came hover- 
ing down from the Blue Ridge, and while in no way dim- 
ming the beautiful splendor of the day, cast a welcome and 
refreshing shade on the throng below. 

THE STAND 

upon which the ceremonies were conducted was a mighty 
structure, capable of holding several hundred persons com- 
fortably, and compelled to accommodate several hundred 
more. At the speaker's desk sat Governor Johnson Ha- 
good, the presiding officer, with the Hon. VVm. A. Courte- 
nay, the Chairman of the Committee, and the officers of the 
occasion. On his right was seated Governor Jarvis, of North 
Carolina, and on his left appeared the Hon. Thomas W. 
Higginson, of Massachusetts. In their rear sat Senators 
Lawrence and Francis, and Representatives Van Cleff and 



56 

Lawrence, the New Jersey Committee. To the left of these, 
arrayed in his clerical robes, the Rev. Ur. A. Toomer Porter, 
the Chaplain of the Washington Light Infantry, was seated. 
Prominent also appeared General H. L Hunt, U. S. A., and 
Lieutenant Baldwin, of the 5th United States Artillery ; 
Lieutenant Daniel Morgan Taylor, U. S. A., Adjt.-General 
Manigault, the officers of the parading commands, Judge 
Bryan, the Rev Dr. Junkin, Judge Joseph Christian, of the 
Supreme Court of Virginia, and Colonels Buford and Cabell, 
of Virginia, representing that State on the occasion; Con- 
gressmen John S. Richardson and J. H. Evins, State Sena- 
tors Gaillard, Moore, Lartigue, Jeter and Callison, Repre- 
sentatives Hemphill, Verner, Rucker and Allen, and a host 
of other prominent visitors Among the latter was Mr. 
John Fielder, one hundred and one years of age, who was 
born in this county and resided here for seventy years, but 
who is now a resident of Laurens County. Forming a bright 
and pleasing picture in the throng upon the stand were the 

GROUP OF LADIES 

who had charge of the unveiling of the Centennial Memo- 
rial. As soon as the troops had been posted the Hon. Wm. 
A. Courtenay commanded silence, and, coming to the front, 
said : As Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, I 
have the honor to request that His Excellency Governor 
Johnson Hagood, Governor of South Carolina, will take the 
Chair, and that the Governors of the " Old Thirteen " 
States and the State of Tennessee be requested to act as 
Vice-Presidents : 

Governor Natt. Head, State of New Hampshire. 

Governor John D. Long, State of Massachusetts. 

Governor Hobart B. Bigelow, State of Connecticut. 

Governor Alfred H. Littlefield, State of Rhode Island. 

Governor A. B. Cornell, State of New York. 

Governor Henry M. Hoyt. State of Pennsylvania. 

Governor Geo. C. Ludlow, State of New Jersey. 

Governor John W. Hall, State of Delaware. 

Governor Wm. T. Hamilton, State of Maryland. 

Governor F. W. M. Holliday, State of Virginia. 

Governor Thos. J. Jarvis, State of North Carolina. 

Governor A. H. Colquitt, State of Georgia. 

Governor Alvin Hawkins, State of Tennessee. 

Captain Courtenay proposed for Chaplain of the day 
Rev. A. Toomer Porter, W. L. I. 



57 

Secretaries — T. Stobo Farrow, Esq., Lieutenant W. Lucas 
Simons, W. L, L ; Charles Petty, Esq., Lieutenant Geo. B, 
Edwards, W. L. L 

Addressing Governor Hagood, the Chairman of the Com- 
mittee said : In behalf of the contributors and builders I 
have the honor to place in charge of your Excellenc}^ this 
completed Centennial Memorial, now ready for dedication. 

Governor Hagood, advancing a few steps, in response to 
Captain Courtenay, said : Mr. Chairman, in behalf of the 
1 hirteen Original States and of Tennessee, who have con- 
tributed to the erection of this memorial column before us, 
and in behalf of the Forty-Sixth Congress, who, represent- 
ing the people of the whole Union, has crowned it with 
the statue of Morgan, the hero of Saratoga, as well as 
Cowpens, I accept at your hands the finished work. In the 
completeness of your arrangements for the dedication to- 
day is recognized the patriotic ardor with which the whole 
duty assigned you has been discharged. The ceremonies of 
the day will be opened with prayer by the Rev. A. Toomer 
Porter, D. D., the Chaplain of the W. L. L 

QUEEN AND PRESIDENT. 

The Rev. A, Toomer Porter, D. D., Rector of the Church 
of the Holy Communion, Charleston, and Chaplain of the 
Washington Light Infantry, came forward and said : The 
prayers which will now be offered are from this book which 
I hold in my hand, found upon the battle-field of Cowpens, 
more than a century ago, when the battle ended. I invite 
you first to unite with me aloud, in that prayer which every 
man of all creeds and nationalities can say. Let us pray. 

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. 
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in 
heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us 
our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us, 
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 
Amen. 

O Lord, show Thy mercy upon us, and grant us Thy sal- 
vation. O Lord, save our Rulers, and mercifully hear us 
when we call upon Thee. Endue Thy ministers with right- 
eousness, and make Thy chosen people joyful. O Lord, 
save Thy people, and bless Thine heritage. Give peace in 
our time, O Lord, because there is none other that fighteth 
for us, but only Thou, O Lord. O God, make clean our 
hearts within us, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from us. 



58 

O God, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, 
defend us Thy humble servants from all assaults of our 
enemies, that we, surely trusting in Thy defence, may not 
fear the power of any adversaries. Grant that in these 
coming years this Nation may fall into no sin, but that all 
our doings may be ordered by Thy goverance to do always 
that which is righteous in Thy sight. Lighten our dark- 
ness, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and by Thy great mercy 
defend us from all perils and dangers. O Lord, our Heav- 
enly Father, high and mighty, King of Kings, Lord of 
Lords, the only Ruler of princes, who dost from Thy throne 
behold all the dwellers upon earth, most heartily we beseec h 
Thee with Thy favor to behold Thy servants, iJie President 
of the United States, and Her Most Gracious Majesty, Queen 
Victoria, and so replenish them with the grace of Thy 
spirit, that they may always incline to Thy will, and walk- 
in Thy way. Endue them plenteously with heavenly gifts, 
grant them in health and wealth long to live; strengthen 
them with wisdom to exercise their high office for the good 
of the whole people over whom they are called to rule, and 
finally, after this life, they may attain everlasting joy and 
felicity. 

As our hearts rise to Thee with gratitude for all the 
blessings which have come to us, through the efforts and 
the sufferings of our forefathers, with the Psalmist we say. 
If the Lord had not been on our side, if the Lord Himself 
had not been on our side, when men rose up against us they 
had swallowed us up quickly, when they were so wrathfully 
displeased at us. But the Lord hath wrought a mighty 
salvation for us ; we got not this by our own sword, neither 
was it our own arm that saved us, but Thy right hand and 
Thine arm that saved us; because Thou hadst a favor 
unto us. The Lord hath done great things for us, for 
which we rejoice ; therefore, O Almighty God, the Sover- 
eign Commander of all the world, in whose hand is power 
and might, which none is able to withstand, we bless and 
magnify Thy great and glorious name for the happy victory, 
which after these hundred years we commemorate. The 
whole glory whereof we do ascribe to Thee, who art the 
only giver of victory. And, we beseech Thee, give us 
grace to improve this great mercy to Thy glory, the ad- 
vancement of Thy Gospel, the honor of our Government, 
and as much as in us lieth, to the good of all mankind. 
And we beseech Thee, give us such a sense of this great 
mercy as may engage us to a true thankfulness, such as 



59 

may appear in our lives, by an humble, holy and obedient 
walking before Thee all our days, through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

Dr. Porter read the prayers with deep impressiveness. 
During the repeating of the Lord's Prayer many of the 
multitude joined in, rendering its effect most solemn. At 
the close of the prayer the 5th United States Artillery 
Band played 

" THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER," 

as only they can play it, the shouts and cheers that went up 
from many thousand throats, showing how deeply the hearts 
of the multitude were stirred by the National anthem. 

THE UNVEILING 

had been planned by the Chairman of the Committee, and 
assigned to the wise and experienced care of Mrs. Governor 
F. W. Pickens, who was accompanied by Mrs. Trust and 
Mrs. Daniel Morgan Taylor, descendants of General Morgan. 
Mrs. Pickens was assisted by the following young ladies: 

Miss Douschka Pickens, of Edgefield, great granddaugh- 
ter of General Andrew Pickens. 

Miss Maria Simons, of Charleston, granddaughter of Cornet 
Simons, of Colonel William Washington's Cavalry. 

Miss Grace Graham, of Louisiana, a great great grand- 
daughter of General Daniel Morgan. 

Miss Kate C. Smith, of Spartanburg, whose great granduncle 
was killed at Cowpens, and his body buried on the field. 

Miss Edith Courtenay, of Charleston, daughter of the Chair- 
man of the Cowpens Centennial Committee. 

Miss Hattie S. Brown, of Fairfield, a descendant of General 
Morgan's sister. 

Miss Sallie B. Jones, of Spartanburg, a great granddaugh- 
ter of Captain John Collins. 

Miss Clarice W. Colton, of Spartanburg, eleven years of 
age, a descendant of General Morgan's sister. 

An avenue was opened through the crowd, and the ladies 
who had occupied seats on the stand were escorted by the 
of^cers of the Washington Light Lifantry to the base of 
the monument. Each lady was given a silken cord, which 
was attached to the veil of American flags which surrounded 
the statue. At a given signal the cords were pulled, and 
in a moment the veil was drawn away at the sides, disclos- 
ing the hero of Cowpens. A moment later the veil floated 



60 

backward and downward, leaving the magnificent column of 
victory clearly outlined against the blue sky of heaven. 

Turning to'the immense concourse of people Governor 
Hagood continued, as follows: My countrymen, we have 
met to commemorate an event in our history memorable 
in its occurrence and potent in its consequence. The col- 
lision of arms upon the field of Cowpens closed in its be- 
ginning the second invasion of South Carolina by the troops 
of Cornwallis, and was the first and perhaps the most im- 
portant in the series of encounters which culminated in the 
successful termination at Yorktown, a few months later, of 
the struggle of the Colonies for separation from the Mother 
Country. Those Colonies, then loosely banded together 
for purposes of allied assistance, driven since by the inex- 
orable force of events, have been fused and welded into an 
indestructible Union composed of indestructible States. 
[Applause.] The infant communities of that time have 
become the mighty Empire of this; ranking in power with 
the foremost and exerting to-day among the nations of the 
earth perhaps the most profound influence upon the destiny 
of the human race. [Applause.] It is well that we should 
be here ; that poetry and oratory and art should lend their 
aid to commemorate the virtues and achievements of the 
men of Cowpens ; that the elder States should revisit this 
spot, and, gathering their younger sisters around the altar 
upon which a hundred years ago the fires of patriotism 
burned so brightly, pledge themselves to the honor and 
welfare of a common country. [Applause.] Governor 
Hagood continued : Capt. George D. Bryan will now read 
an ode written by the late Prof. Samuel Henry Dickson, of 
Jefferson Medical College. Philadelphia, dedicated to the 
Washington Light Infantry, and recited on the occasion of 
their first visit to the battlefields of Cowpens, April, 1856. 
Captain Bryan's association with the Washington Light In- 
fantry entitles him to feel a deep interest in this occasion. 

Capt. Bryan then came to the front, and in a clear ring- 
ing voice read the ode, as follows : 

THE COWPENS ODE. 

Hail to the honored dead! 
Here with uncovered head 

Reverently bow; 
Bravely our fathers fought 
On this time-honored spot. 
Ne'er shall they be forgot! 

Solemn, we vow. 



61 



Raise the memorial stone! 
From blank oblivion — 

Rescue each name. 
Let our regardful care 
Bid the bright marble bear 
Record, enduring, clear; 

Give them their fame! 



Freedom's dark hour was then; 
Grief filled the souls of men. 

War drained their life; 
Vain seemed the Patriot's care, 
Vain every pious prayer, 
Vain woman's tender tear; 

Fierce was the strife. 



Britain looked grimly down 
Threatening with haughty frown. 

Ruin and woe; 
Subtle Cornwallis' art, 
Rawdon's cold, cruel heart, 
Hot Tarleton's butcher part. 

Well did they know. 

Here midst the forest shade, 
Anxious, but undismayed. 

Heroes had met; 
Friends few and sad they found, 
Foemen were clustered round, 
Toils over all the ground 

Thickly were set. 

Triplet and Tait were near; 
Clarke's banner waived in air; 

Howard, the brave, 
Pickens and stout McCall, 
Stood ready, one and all. 
Whatever fate befall; 

Fame — or — the grave. 

Washington's sabre keen 
Flashed o'er the stirring scene 

Prompt for the field; 
Morgan, their leader high. 
Looked on with eagle eye. 
Earnest to do or die, 

Sworn not to yield. 

Shoulder to shoulder press'd. 
Throbs every manly breast, 

Eager they stand: 
Georgia's bold soldiery 
Join in the battle cry, 
Maryland's infantry. 

Veteran band. 



62 



Twin Carolina sent 

Men on stern deeds intent 

Dauntless of earth; 
Forward the strife to share, 
Danger's dark front to dare, 
Well did Virginia bear 

Her constant part. 



Now like the stormy wave 
When winds in winter rave. 

On come the foe; 
'Midst the loud cannon's roar 
Deadly the rifles pour — 
Soon the brief battle's o'er, 

Down, down they go! 



One short half hour is past, 
So long the fight did last, 

Then it was done. 
Then rose the victors' shout, 
Then rushed the headlong rout. 
Ended all fear and doubt, 

Valor had won. 

Sacred to victory, 

Then did our standard fly 

First o'er the plain; 
Hence stained with hostile gore. 
On Eutaw's field once more 
Its fateful folds they bore, 

Conq'ring again. 

England! thy star has paled. 
Naught thy proud force availed. 

Foiled in the fight; 
Tarleton's famed horse, that day, 
Turned soon and fast away. 
Scared from the bloody fray, 
Shameless in flight. 

Now let our hearts rejoice; 
Lift up our cheerful voice 

Grateful to Heaven; 
Praise, too, those who bled, 
Those who in battle led; 
To the renowned dead 

Due praise be given. 

May all the gracious Power, 
Who gave the glorious hour 

We celebrate. 
Hear even when we pray; 
Smile on our country's way, 
Make her grow day by day. 

Good, wise and great. 



(;3 

Grant us, O God, above! 
Grant us in patriot love 

Still to increase, 
By Thy Divine decree 
Let our blest future be — 
Union and Liberty, 

Virtue and Peace. 

Prolonged rounds of applause greeted this Revolutionary 
poem, and the strains of " Hail Columbia" from the band 
added to the enthusiasm. 

Governor Hagood coming again to the front, after quiet- 
ing the applause, said : 

There has been selected as the orator of the day for the 
Southern States one whom it is my duty now to present 
you. Standing upon the soil of Spartanburg, in which lie 
the bones of his ancestors, victors of a war that preceded 
the Covvpens, and speaking beneath a Carolina sky, he 
needs no introduction from me. I have but to mention 
his name — Wade Hampton. 

Governor Hampton arose amid a perfect storm of ap- 
plause from acres of people, and pausing a few minutes for 
a lull, spoke as follows : 

GENERAL HAMPTON'S ORATION. 

My Countrymen : One hundred years ago the hillsides 
and the valleys around the historic field of Cowpens were 
torn by the rough ploughshare of war. Now they are smil- 
ing in quiet beauty, active with busy industry, blessed with 
holy peace and dotted on every side with the happy homes 
of brave men and fair women. How great is the change 
that a century has wrought ! 

Now on the place of slaughter are cots and sheepfolds seen, 

And rows of vines and fields of wheat and apple orchards green, 

The fisher baits his angle, the hunter twangs his bow. 

Little they think on those strong limbs that moulder deep below; 

Little they think how sternly, that day the trumpets pealed. 

Here in the slippery swamps of blood warrior and war horse reeled. 

That spot, now so prosperous and serene, was then the 
scene of one of the most memorable acts in the great drama 
of our one Revolutionary War. The actors on that occa- 
sion were well worthy to fill the heroic parts they were 
called on to perform, and we have met here to day to recall 
their patriotic services, to do honor to their fame, and to 
perpetuate their deeds by dedicating this monument to 



their memory. In the performance of this sacred duty 
there are gathered here representatives of the " Old Tliir- 
teen " united Colonies, and with them comes those of North 
Carolina's fair daughter, Tennessee. All these, now great 
States, have contributed to the erection of this memorial 
column, and we all meet to-day on this consecrated spot as 
citizens of one great Republic, and as brethren bound to- 
gether by the strong ties of blood and of hereditary affec- 
tion. At this shrine dedicated to Liberty no fires save 
those of Patriotism should be allowed to burn. The spirit 
of sectionalism should stand rebuked, and fraternity should 
inspire every- American heart. Here, at least, under the 
shadow of yonder stately monument, sacred for all time to 
come to the valor and patriotism of our common ancestors, 
we should bur)' all animosities and dedicate ourselves to the 
noble work of promoting the prosperity, the happiness and 
the peace of our whole country. The "Old Thirteen" call 
upon their bright and glorious daughters to join in this ■ 
holy work. Let this grand sisterhood of free and equal 
States hand in hand press forward in the great race of free- 
dom and human progress, teaching to mankind the great 
lesson of liberty and equality, and building up on this Con- 
tinent a mighty Republic, whose States shall be — 

" Distinct as the billows, 
Yet one as the sea." 

That is the mission which should inspire the heart of 
every patriot in our land. The Southern States represented 
here have done me the great honor to delegate me to speak 
for them on this occasion, and in their behalf I declare 
solemnl}^ that it is their purpose, their wish, their hope to 
make and to keep our whole country great and prosperous, 
honored at home, respected abroad, the fit home forever of 
a free and happy people. This is not only our duty as citi- 
zens, but should be our highest aim as patriots. To per- 
form this duty, to cherish this aspiration is not in the 
slightest degree inconsistent with the political views we of 
the South held in the past, for the decree of Providt-nce 
has made us all one people. This broad land, from the 
Lakes of the far North to the Gulf, from ocean to ocean, is 
our country, our home, and it behooves us to build up its 
prosperity, to defend its honor, and to maintain its liber- 
ties. We should strive to make it worthy of the heroic 
ancestors who gave it to us, and worthy of our descendants 
to whom we shall leave it. The great Cj[uestions which 



65 

aroused such bitter discord and brought so much suffering 
oil the country are furever settled, and political wisdom as 
well as patriotism demands that the animosities they engen- 
dered should be buried with them. Looking back to the 
past only to gain experience from its errors, or to draw 
inspiration from its patriotic teaching, let us turn our faces 
resolutely and steadily to the future, deteriTiined. with 
God's help, to make that future bright with all tlie bless- 
ings that religion, education, peace and liberty can bestow. 

When we turn to the past to seek examples of patriotic 
devotion, none can be found higher, nobler, grander than 
are presented by the patriots of our Revolutionary War and 
of that band of heroes. Few names stand higher on the 
deathless roll of fame than these inscribed on the monu- 
ment you have just dedicated with such imposing ceremo- 
nies to the memory of the victors of Cowpens. The battle 
that was fought here, judged only by the numbers engaged, 
may seem insignificant when compared with others where 
mighty hosts met each other, but, if considered by the re- 
sults it effected, few of the great battles of the world, and 
none in our Revolutionary War, have exercised a larger 
influence on contemporaneous and subsequent events than 
this. I have said that it was a memorable battle, and if 
you will follow me as I tell of the masterly struggles, the 
stubborn courage, the devoted patriotism that made this 
field so memorable and its results so important, you will all 
agree with me that few battlefields have been marked by 
more brilliant achievements or have been more instrumental 
in shaping the destiny of a people. 

There was no period during the whole war when the con- 
dition of affairs was more gloomy throughout the country, 
than it was just previous to the Battle of Cowpens. At the 
North even the great Washington, devoted as he was to 
the cause, could scarcely hold together a little handful of 
brave but famishing men. At the South the whole coun- 
try, except where a few heroic partisans maintained their 
birthright with their good swords, was in the possession of 
the enemy, and the people were in despair. They had to 
meet in this fearful conflict not only the British, but their 
allies, the worthless Tory and the savage Indian. Every 
incident that could add horror to war was thus present with 
these unhappy people, and it is not surprising that they 
were well nigh hopeless, for their cause seemed desperate. 
Charleston, after a protracted, determined, heroic defense, 
had fallen on the I2th of May, 1780, and with it fell the 



6Q 

whole Southern army. Gates, whose unfortunate destiny 
it was to exchange his Northern laurels for Southern 
cypress, had been most disastrously defeated near Camden 
on the i6th August of the same year. The brave and gal- 
lant Sumter, who with Marion and Pickens and other de- 
voted patriots had upheld with unfaltering constancy the 
cause of liberty in South Carolina, was surprised and his 
command destroyed by Tarleton two days after the battle 
of Camden. The country from Charleston to the moun- 
tains was in the possession of the British, and the people 
were subjected to the cruel domination of military rule. 
It seemed as though Liberty herself was dead, and that her 
fair features were shrouded forever in the funereal pall of 
death. It was at this time, so full of hopeless despair, that 
Greene, the great soldier and the unconquerable patriot, 
was assigned by Washington to the command of the South- 
ern Department. Just before he reached Hillsboro', in 
North Carolina, where he began in the South that arduous 
and heroic career which has placed his name next to Wash- 
ington among the heroes of the Revolution, another great 
and patriotic soldier, who had won high fame on many a 
bloody field from Canada to Delaware had come to offer 
his sword to the South. This was Daniel Morgan, the hero 
of the Cowpens, the man to whose memory his grateful 
countrymen have erected that noble statue just presented 
to our view, which stands, and will stand for ages, a mute 
but eloquent memorial of a brave soldier and incorruptible 
patriot, and a devoted defender of the liberty of his coun- 
try. The story of his life is not only full of the most 
stirring and romantic incidents, but it is equally so of in- 
struction and encouragement to all who, like him, are forced 
to struggle with the world unaided and alone. Though 
authorities differ as to the place of his birth, it is generally 
conceded that he was born in Huntingdon County, N. J., 
in 1736. Leaving home at the early age of seventeen, he 
sought his fortune in what were the wilds of the Valley of 
Virginia, where he began his life as a common farm laborer. 
Of humble birth he had been blessed with no advantages 
of fortune, or opportunities of education, and he is de- 
scribed as having been at this period of his life not only 
uneducated but rough in his appearance and address. By 
exemplary honesty, untiring industry and determined 
energy he accumulated in two years from his hard earnings 
enough to enable him to buy a wagon and team. While 
working steadily to acquire the means of honorable support 



fi7 

he had devoted himself with equal zeal to the acquisition 
of useful knowledge, and in this laudable effort his success 
was remarkable. The corresponding improvement in his 
bearing and conversation was no less decided, and though 
but a boy in years he already gave evidence of the posses- 
sion of those great qualities of mind and body which never 
fail to exercise strong influence over men. 

It would be a pleasant task to trace his strange and bril- 
liant career from its humble beginning to its honored close, 
but the time allotted to an occasion of this sort forbids 
this. The history of our revolutionary days gives the story 
of his life, and it tells of few examples where devotion to 
duty, inflexible courage, strong willand high character have 
overcome greater obstacles than he conquered as he rose 
from his post as wagoner to that of the trusted friend and 
comrade of Greene and Washington. Here I can only 
touch briefly on the main incidents of his life up to the 
period when he became so intimately and honorably con- 
nected with the war in South Carolina. His first appear- 
ance in connection with military service was in capacity of 
teamster when he accompanied Braddock on the disastrous 
expedition in which that unfortunate ofificer lost his life. 

in the warfare with the Indians, which subsequently 
ensued, Morgan volunteered when the militia were called 
out, in 1757, and he distinguished himself greatly in an 
attack made by the French and Indians on Edward's Fort. 
This is the first mention of him as a soldier, but his courage 
and ability soon attracted such attention that he gained a 
position as ensign. Not long afterwards he was promoted 
to a lieutenancy, and in 1771 Governor Nelson, of Virginia, 
appointed him a Captain in the Militia of Fredericks 
County. In 1774 he again took the field against the In- 
dians, and on the 22d of June of the next year he was com- 
missioned Captain by the Continental Congress, being 
appointed to the command of one of the rifle companies 
raised by Virginia. In ten days after receiving his com- 
mission he organized a company of ninety-six men, and 
leaving Winchester early in July he reached Boston, six 
hundred miles distant, in twenty-one days, without losing a 
single man by sickness, straggling or desertion. 

The rifle companies were the first levies ordered by Con- 
gress ; they were the first to obey the call, and Morgan's 
was among the first, if not the first, to reach Boston, Soon 
after his arrival he was assigned to duty under Arnold in 
his ill-fated expedition to Canada. During all the hard- 



68 

ships and suffering attending this expedition his high sol- 
diery qualities were conspicuous, and in the assault on 
Quebec his courage and ability gained him high and de- 
served distinction. He led the storming party, and after 
carr3Mng the works of the enemy he was, owing to the fail- 
ure of the co-operating attacks, made prisoner with his 
command in the city. Upon his exchange Washington, in 
a most complimentary letter, recommended him as Colonel 
of the Rifle Regiment which was then being raised. Con- 
gress gave him the commission. The famous corps to 
which he was assigned was made up of five hundred picked 
men of the different regiments of the army, and it consti- 
tuted the finest regiment perhaps in the Continental ser- 
vice. Under its gallant commander it haci a large share of 
the triumphs achieved by our heroic little army. By it 
were shared too all the privations of that band of patriots. 

After arduous and distinguished services the health of 
Morgan gave way, and in 1779 he asked leave of Washing- 
ton to tender his resignation. The Commander-in-Chief 
consented with great reluctance, and Congress accepted it 
with regret. While recruiting his health at home the news 
of the disastrous defeat of Gates at Camden reached him, 
and without a moment's hesitation he hastened to offer his 
services to his old commander, to whose success at Saratoga 
he had contributed so largely. 

This imperfect sketch of Morgan brings us to the time 
when he became connected with the war in the South, 
where he was soon to achieve the most brilliant triumph of 
his life by gaining one of the most decisive and important 
victories of the Revolution. Soon after his arrival at Hills- 
boro', where the shattered remnants of the command of 
Gates were encamped, tardy justice was done to his emi- 
nent services by his promotion as Major-General, and he 
was assigned to the command of a small corps specially 
organized for him. This force was made up of a detach- 
ment of 320 men, under Lieutenant-Colonel Howard, from 
the Maryland Line, that gallant command which had so 
greatly distinguished itself at Camden ; two hundred Virgi- 
nia Militia, under Major Triplett, anci eighty cavalry, led by 
that great cavalry soldier, Lieutenant-Colonel Washington. 
On the i6th December General Greene ordered Morgan to 
proceed to the west side of the Catawba River, and gave 
him entire command in that quarter. The volunteer troops, 
under Brigadier-General Davidson, of North Carolina, a 
most meritorious and gallant officer, who was killed soon 



G9 

afterwards, and the militia who had been serving with 
Sumter, the Gamecock of South Carolina, were directed to 
join him. Sumter had unfortunately received a severe 
wound in the affair with Tarleton, at Blackstocks, some time 
before, and he was still unable to take the field. 

Leaving Charlotte in pursuance of his orders, Morgan 
took position on the 25th of December, near Pacolct 
Springs, where he was joined soon after by about two hun- 
dred and twenty mounted militia from North and South 
Carolina. From this point several successful expeditions 
were made by Washington against the British and Tories. 
These had the effect of alarming Cornwallis for the safety 
of the post at Ninety-Six, and determined him to force 
Morgan to abandon the country in which he was operating. 
With this object in view he ordered Tarleton on the second 
of January to follow Morgan up and to push him to the 
utmost. At this time the main force of Cornwallis was 
stationed at Winnsboro', and Tarleton was in advance on 
Broad River at Brierly Ferry. With his accustomed 
promptness Tarleton crossed the river and moved in a wes- 
terly direction, placing himself south of Morgan. His force 
consisted of about 1,100 men, 500 of whom belonged to 
that dreaded legion which had carried desolation and dis- 
aster through every part of the State. Finding that Ninety- 
Six was not threatened he proposed to Cornwallis a joint 
movement against Morgan by which the v/hole army was 
to be used. The plan suggested and adopted was for Corn- 
wallis to move up the east bank of the river towards King's 
Mountain, while Tarleton advanced up the west side. 
"When I advance," said Tarleton in his letter to Cornwallis, 
'T must either destroy Morgan's corps or push it before 
me over Broad River towards King Mountain." The plan 
was an admirable one, and it failed only because Morgan 
refused to carry out the part allotted to liim. On the 12th 
of January Tarleton began his march, crossed the Enoree 
and Tyger Rivers above the Cherokee road on the 14th, 
and on the evening of the 15th he reached the Pacolet at 
Easterwood Shoals. Before daylight the next morning he 
crossed the river without opposition, Morgan having with- 
drawn his pickets. As he was thoroughly advised of the 
movements of his enemy, he knew that the force immedi- 
ately opposed to him was greater than his own, and he was 
aware of the approach of Cornwallis with the view of cut- 
ting him off. The attempt, therefore, to have disputed 
Tarleton's passage of the Pacolet would have been a grave 



70 

blunder, for delay at the river would have allowed Corn- 
wallis to have placed his whole force on Morgan's only line 
of retreat. It was, therefore, essential to his safety that he 
should retire to a position where he could not only fight to 
advantage, but in case of disaster could elude the main 
body of the enemy. Falling back leisurely he encamped at 
the Cowpens on the night of tlie i6th of January, and he 
determined to accept battle on that spot. A few hours 
after he had left his last camp, Tarleton reached it and, fully 
impressed with the idea that his antagonist was only trying 
to escape, he gave his troops only a short rest, and leaving 
his heavy baggage, he moved at 3 o'clock in the morning 
rapidly in pursuit. Such was the speed of his march that 
he came in sight of Morgan about 8 o'clock in the morning. 
Still lingering under the delusion that escape across Broad 
River was the only object of his enemy, he determined to 
attack at once, for he Avas a bold and dashing soldier, one 
who never hesitated when an enemy was in sight. 

Before describing the great battle that followed it may be 
proper to notice the charge made against Morgan that he 
was imprudent in fighting a force so superior to his own in 
the position chosen. In military operations success is the 
best justification of the wisdom of plans adopted to secure 
an end, and in this case there could be no ampler vindica- 
tion of Morgan's conduct than was furnished by the result 
of the great battle which he planned and directed. In war 
at least the maxim holds good, that '"nothing succeeds like 
success," but apart from the success achieved here, there 
are many considerations which justify Morgan fully in the 
course he adopted. It was manifest to him that with an 
active, energetic, determined enemy pressing on with vigor 
he would not be able to effect a passage across the river 
without a contest which might prove disastrous to him. A 
retreat, under the circumstances in which he was placed, 
would necessarily soon have become a flight, and the militia, 
composing so large a portion of his force, would have 
sought safety by deserting their colors. His little body of 
Regulars, pressed in rear by an active enemy and threatened 
in front by an overwhelming force, would have fallen an 
easy prey to their pursuers. By accepting battle in a strong 
position he was able to concentrate his whole strength, and 
he had every reason to expect reinforcements at any mo- 
ment. He had a just confidence in his troops. His Regu- 
lars were from that gallant brigade which drove the British 
left at the point of the bayonet at Camden. His cavalry. 











•-'^- 



The best Plat of the Battlefield of Cowpens — To Accompany 

General Hampton's^Oration— Copied from " The 

Hero of Cowpens," A. S. Barnes & Co., 

Publishers, iSSi. 



72 

with Washington to lead them, were the equals of any 
mounted troop on either side in the field, and his militia 
was composed chiefly of veterans led by able, brave and 
experienced officers. These, under the gallant Pickens, all 
fought like their leader, with halters around their necks, 
and with them it was literally victory or death. He had 
selected his own ground. His troops were rested, refreshed 
and confident, while those of his adversary were fatigued 
by a night march. Morgan possessed in an eminent degree 
the rare faculty of inspiring the troops under his command 
with confidence, and he had that other gift of a great leader, 
confidence in himself. It was this reliance on his troops, 
and his own self-reliance, not rashness, that determined him 
to fight. Then, too, he knew that Cornwallis was but twenty- 
five miles distant, prepared toco-operate with Tarleton,and 
that delay would bring both detachments of the enemy 
upon him. His reasoning was good, his, judgment sound 
and his conclusions just, as the result of the battle proved. 
Having determined to fight, he made the disposition of his 
little force with the skill and the ability characteristic of 
him. The position selected for the action was an admirable 
one. The country was open woodland, with little or no 
underbrush. Two ridges parallel to each other, separated 
by an intervening depression, crossed the field at about 150 
yards distance apart. To the crest of the first the ground 
rose gradually for about 350 yards, and on this crest Morgan 
formed his main line. This was composed of the Maryland 
Regulars, 390 strong, ^nd the Virginia Militia, 140 men, 
under Major Triplett. This line of 430 muskets was under 
command of Lieutenant-Colonel Howard. It was made up 
of the best troops, and on it Morgan placed his chief re- 
liance. The volunteers of North Carolina, South Carolina 
and Georgia, under the command of "the brave and valua- 
ble Col. Pickens" as Morgan designated that distinguished 
of^cer, were situated to guard the flanks. The official 
report of Morgan which I have just quoted goes on to say: 
Major McDowell, of the North Carolina Volunteers was 
posted on the right flank in front of the line 150 yards and 
Major Cunningham, of the Georgia Volunteers, on the left 
the same distance in front. Cols. Brannon and Thomas, of 
the South Carolinians, were posted on the right of Major 
McDowell and Cols. Hays and McCall of the same corps. 
On the left of Major Cunningham, Capts. Tate and 
Buchanan, with the Augusta Riflemen were to support the 
right of the line. These two last mentioned companies 



73 

came from Virginia. Just behind the second ridge Wash- 
ington was posted with his cavahy which had been strength 
ened by the addition of forty-five volunteers from McCall's 
command, thus mal<ing liis force amount to 125 men. This 
was the disposition made by Morgan of his troops as re- 
ported by him to Gen. Greene in his letter written two days 
after the battle, but the interest felt in this great fight 
brought out subsec^uently many details not given by the 
General. 

We have seen that his main line, four hundred and 
thirty strong, was ranged on the summit of the first emi- 
nence facing the approaching enemy ; that his cavalry were 
posted under cover of the second ridge, where they were 
protected from any direct fire, and were in such a position 
that they could be thrown promptly to any part of the 
field, and that the militia were deployed in front and flank. 
This was the general order of battle, a most judicious one, 
but Morgan's varied experience enabled him to utilize his 
whole force, so that each part could perform the duty for 
which it was specially adapted. His Regulars held the key 
of the position, and they were protected by the cavalry. 
Pickens, who had command of a body of about 350 
militia, was placed 300 yards in advance of the Regu- 
lars, and 60 picked riflemen under McDowell, with a like 
number under Cunningham, were deployed as skirmishers 
in advance of the militia. The whole force engaged on the 
American side was about 850; that of the British from 
1,100 to 1,150. 

As soon as Tarleton discovered that Morgan's troops 
were drawn up in order of battle he prepared instantly to 
attack them. He formed his men in single line on the 
Spartanburg road, about 400 yards from his enemy. Fifty 
dragoons were posted on each flank of his infantry. One 
battalion of infantry, with 200 dragoons, were held as a 
reserve in the rear of his left wing, and here Tarleton took 
his own position. As soon as these dispositions were made 
he ordered an advance of his Vv'hole line. Under cover of 
their two guns the British moved steadily forward as if 
assured of victory, and though staggered by the well 
directed fire of the riflemen who had been told to "mark 
the epaulet men" they kept up their advance until the 
militia of Pickens were struck. These delivered several 
murderous volleys before they were forced back, when they 
retreated, facing the enemy and firing, towards the flank of 
Howard's line as they had been ordered to do. Before 



74 

they could gain the cover of this line, however, the British 
cavalry on the right charged and drove them back toward 
the position held by Washington. That officer immediately 
met this attack by a counter charge which broke the British 
cavalry in utter confusion. Pickens rallied his men 
promptly, and passing entirely around the ridge behind 
which Washington had been stationed, he brought them 
up on the right flank of Howard's line just as the enemy 
were about to turn it. While these events were. occurring 
on one part of the field others of grave import, upon which 
hung the issue of the fight, were being enacted on another. 
When the militia in their retreat had uncovered Howard's 
front Jiis line opened a terrific fire on the advancing enemy. 
This was returned with vigor and resolution, and for fifteen 
minutes it was maintained with obstinate courage. Tarle- 
ton seeing his advance checked ordered his reserves into 
action: the infantry to take post on his left, while the cav- 
alry were to charge the American right. His object was to 
turn this flank with his reserves, while the troops already 
engaged were to occupy the attention of Howard's line. 
This was the turning point of the battle, and the scales 
were inclined in our favor by the good generalship of 
Morgan, assisted as he was by his able lieutenants, Howard, 
Pickens and Washington. Tarleton's manoeuvre of his re- 
serves into action on his left threatened to overwhelm the 
American right, and the movement was full of danger. 
Morgan was equal to the emergency. Urging Pickens to 
attack the left flank of the advancing enemy, he ordered 
Washington to charge the British cavalry, which was just 
about to sweep down on our unprotected right flank. Both 
orders were executed with promptness and decision. Pick- 
ens brought his men up just in time to strike the British 
reserves on the left flank as they were moving on Howard's 
right, and at the same m.oment Washington charged and 
broke entirely through their cavalry. Before the result of 
these movements was known Howard, perceivmg the danger 
to which his right was exposed, directed the flank company 
to change front, in order to protect the right of his line. 
This order was misunderstood, and the whole line supposing 
that they were ordered to retire to the ridge in their rear, 
faced about and moved towards this point. The enemy, 
thinking this movement was a retreat, dashed forward with 
loud shouts, in some confusion, until they approached within 
thirty yards of Howard's men, who had just commenced 
the assent of the second eminence. Washington, who had 



observed the confusion of the enemy, sent word to Morgan 
" that they were coming on Hke a mob, and if he would give 
them one fire the cavah'y would charge them." 

Morgan instantly called to the men to face about and fire. 
This was done with such deadly effect that the enemy re- 
coiled, when hloward at once ordered a charge of bayonets. 
This decided the fight, for as the British gave way Wash- 
ington wheeled into their rear about to charge, when they 
threw down their arms. The victorious Americans concen- 
trating their forces on those of the enemy who were still 
trying bravely to maintain their ground, swept them from 
the field. The conflict was over; the battle was lost and 
won ; victory, so long a stranger to our cause, perched on 
our banners, and, the battlefield of Cowpens became sacred 
to Liberty for all time to come. The rout of the British 
was complete, and the fugitives did not halt until they 
reached the camp of Cornwallis. The loss on the American 
side was but 12 killed and 62 wounded; on that of the 
British it was estimated at 80 killed, 150 wounded and 600 
prisoners. Two guns, two stands of colors, 800 muskets, 
100 cavalry horses, 35 wagons and "all the enemy's music" 
fell into the hands of the victors. 

The history of the two little captured guns, then called 
" Grasshoppers," is worthy of note. They were taken from 
Burgoyne at Saratoga, retaken by the British at Camden, 
recovered by the Americans at Cowpens. 

The victory was one of the most brilliant and decisive 
achieved by our arms during the Revolution, and the an- 
nouncement of it was received throughout the country with 
universal joy. Congress passed a resolution of thanks to 
the officers and men engaged in it, presented Morgan with 
a gold medal, Pickens and Triplett with a sword each, and 
silver medals to Howard and Washington. Several States, 
through their Legislatures, expressed their gratification, 
and congratulations poured in on Morgan from every 
quarter. 

The limits prescribed to an address of this sort will not 
permit me to trace in detail the important results following 
this battle, and of which it was the primary cause, but the 
student of American history cannot fail to recognize the 
fact that it was here that the tide in the great struggle 
turned in our favor. With the exception of the battle of 
Guilford, where the British gained temporary success at the 
cost of subsec]uent disaster, that tide flowed steadily like 
that which " ne'er feels retiring ebb, but keeps due on," 



76 

until our ship of State, tempest tossed and battle-scarred, 
bore the proud and victorious flag of the young Republic 
bravely into the secure haven of Peace provided for her by 
Liberty. Up to the time of this battle disaster, despond- 
ency and gloom had, with rare gleams of brightness, marked 
the course of our struggle. But this auspicious event was 
the forerunner of happier days. The God of Nations 
seemed thereafter to bless our cause until he gave us the 
crowning victory at Yorktown, when George Washington 
sheathed the peerless sword that had won the Independ- 
ence of America. 

It is in this view that the results of the victory of Cow- 
pens were of such vast importance. By it the British not 
only lost their hold on Georgia, North Carolina and South 
Carolina, but they were forced ever after on the whole 
theatre of the war to act on the defensive. Thus it was 
that the Battle of Cowpens made the siege and capture of 
Yorktown possible. Without Cowpens we might not have 
had Yorktown. 

The history of a battle of such note as this would scarcely 
be complete if all mention of the brave men who won it 
were omitted, and it is therefore proper to recall some facts 
relating to the chief actors in this great conflict. In at- 
tempting to do this I must necessarily be brief, and I can 
therefore only notice a few of the most prominent names 
immortalized by fighting on this historic field. But before 
speaking of the officers whose names go down in history, 
because they are given in the official reports, let me 
say a ft:w words for the brave men who fought in the 
ranks. It is one of the incidents of war, perhaps an un- 
avoidable one, that officers only are mentioned in these 
reports, while it is the hard fate of the private soldier to 
live unknown to fame, or to die for his country, even his 
name unrecorded in its annals. My experience in active 
service impressed on me deeply the seeming injustice of 
this discrimination against those who bear the heat and 
burden of the fight. Under the tattered jacket of the pri- 
vate may beat a heart as true as is covered by the braided 
coat of the officer, and while the former has not the respon- 
sibility of the latter, he has to bear far greater privations. 
No hope of glory can inspire his conduct. A volunteer in 
the cause of his country, he freely offers his life in her de- 
fence, looking for no reward save that given by the con- 
sciousness of duty performed. All honor then to the pri- 
vate soldiers who volunteer in their country's cause. Thou- 



77 

sands of them, earnest and devoted, have found death on 
many a battlefield, and no record of their deeds is left ; but 
it may be that when the Great Judge of the Universe sum- 
mons all who have died to answer to the last roll-call their 
names may be found written there in letters of living light. 
Morgan, whose sympathies were always warm towards 
his soldiers, gave utterance to a sentiment in his report, 
honorable alike to him and to his men : " My wishes," said 
he, "would induce me to name every sentinel in this corps 
I have the honor to command." I too wish that I could 
do so. I wish that the name of every brave soldier who 
fought here could be inscribed on that monument, so that 
our children might learn to reverence their memory ; but 
as this cannot be, we can at least feel that 

Their deeds a mightier monument command, 
The mountains of their native land; 
And while these mountains stand, 
The meanest rill, the mightiest river. 
Rolls mingling with their fame forever. 

Their names may have perished on earth, but their fame 
can never grow dim, and their acts are perpetuated in the 
liberty of their country. 

Among the officers to whom high credit is due was 
Lieutenant-Colonel John Eager Howard, the commander of 
the Maryland Line. He was not only one of the oldest 
officers in our service, but he was among the first to enter 
it. His first commission, that of captain, though he refused 
then a colonelcy, was dated June 25, 1776. In the North- 
ern Department he had distinguished himself greatly, and 
he gained new honors in the Southern Department by his 
conduct at Camden, Hobkirk's Hill, Guilford, Eutaw and 
Cowpens. In this last his gallant charge with the bayonet 
turned the fight, and he is deservedly classed among the 
heroes of that battle. Greene called him "as good an 
officer as the world affords." " My own obligations to him," 
he went on to say, " are great ; the public's still more so. 
He deserves a statue of gold no less than the Roman and 
Grecian heroes." This is high praise from a high tower, to 
which no words of mine could add anything. 

Another officer, whose name is a household word to every 
South Carolinian, contributed greatly to the successful issue 
of this fight. This was Colonel Andrew Pickens, who com- 
manded all the militia engaged. His first military expe- 
rience was gained in the French war, which terminated in 



78 

1763. At the commencement of the Revolutionary War he 
organized a company, of which he was appointed captain, 
and his courage and ability during the contest won for him 
the rank of Brigadier-General. With Sumter and Marion 
he held the field even after the whole State was overrun by 
the British and Tories, and his whole career throughout 
these trying days was eminently honorable and patriotic. 
As has been already stated, he joined Morgan just before 
the Battle of Cowpens, and he was assigned to the com- 
mand of all the militia. These were handled in the most 
masterly manner, and they did excellent service. Nothing 
shows more strongly his ability as a soldier and his control 
over his men than the fact that his command, after having 
been driven in, was rallied and brought promptly back into 
action at the most critical moment of the fight. This was 
the first occasion during the war when militia, after having 
been broken, were rallied and returned to the field. Morgan, 
in his report, mentions him in these complimentary terms : 
'' Colonel Pickens and all the ofificers of his corps behaved 
well, but, from their having so lately joined the detachment, 
it has been impossible to collect all their names and rank, 
so that the General is constrained not to particularize any, 
lest it should be doing injustice to others." It has been well 
and generally said of him : "A more perfect model of the 
virtuous citizen could not be given to his countrymen than 
a correct and faithful delineation of his character would 
afford them." 

There was a third officer, holding a separate command, 
engaged here, whose name has been honorably identified 
from the days of the Revolution to the present with our 
State, which he made his home, Lieutenant-Colonel William 
Washington, one of the most brilliant cavalry leaders of the 
war. He was inspired with the same ardent patriotism that 
animated his illustrious namesake and relative, and he was 
among the first to volunteer in defence of his country. 
Coming to South Carolina in 1779 he took an active part in 
the struggle here, and won great distinction. His share in 
the glories of Cowpens has already been recounted, but his 
participation in them is recalled to-day more vividly than . 
in the case of other officers by an incident of this commem- 
oration glorious in itself and full of appropriate suggestion. 
The very flag which one hundred years ago floated over the 
smoke of battle for the first time, under whose shadow 
brave men died, and upon whose crimson glory our fathers 
gazed with triumph when victory was won, that flag is here 



79 

to-day waving under the same sky, rustling its folds in the 
same winds; but around it lie in peaceful and prosperous 
beauty the hills which re-echoed the thunder of cannon, and 
the valleys over which swept the charging squadrons. The 
men over whose heroic strife it streamed in proud defiance, 
the men over whose honored graves it drooped in mournful 
sympathy, have long since been gathered to their rest and 
their works have followed them. Over their ashes have 
been built the great institutions of a free country, and their 
ears have not been bored by the sound of civil strife bred 
from tne conflict of the ideas for which they contended, and 
it seems to me that when at the close of a century the 
children of the Old Thirteen Colonies have met together to 
do honor to their memory, the presence of that flag is some- 
thing more than a graceful accident. The very air which 
fans it seems to bear around us from the contact high and 
holy inspiration. It shakes the spirit of the past from its 
sacred folds, and as it glows in the sunlight it draws us from 
the miserable contests of to-day and directs our eyes, our 
hopes, our hearts to the patriots who placed beneath its 
protection their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor, 
and devoted themselves with one heart and one mind to the 
establishment of a common country. Long before the Stars 
and Stripes became the ensign of a free country this little 
banner had often braved the iDattle and the breeze in the 
cause of that country's freedom. Consecrated to us as the 
symbol of victory, dear to us as the heritage of our ances- 
tors, hallowed by all the proud and tender associations that 
cling around it, we bring it once again, and on this historic 
ground, where it first led the way to victory, we reverently 
place it by the side of the flag of our country as a token of 
renewed fraternity, in evidence of a reunited people, a 
pledge of faith to a more perfect union. 

The oration, which occupied an hour in delivery, was 
heard with rapt attention broken only here and there by 
the enthusiastic bursts of applause. 

Governor Hagood again commanded attention at the 
close, and said: There will now be read a ballad written by 
J. J. Caldwell, M. D., of Maryland, and dedicated to the 
Washington Light Lifantry. It will be read by Capt. 
James Simons, a grandson of Lieut, James Simons of Col. 
Washington's Cavalry, which charged victoriously at Cow- 
pens. He represents the South Carolina Society of the Cin- 
cinnati. Capt. Simons came to the front, and with grace- 
ful ease and fine expression read the ballad, as follows : 



80 
THE BLUE HEN'S CHICKENS. 



You have heard of the Blue Hen's Chickens, 

Of the brave old Delaware line; 
The tale of their deeds is a record, 

Of courage almost divine — 
A record of storms and battles, 

And marches in fasting and pain; 
But they suffered in resolute silence — 

They never were knovv'n to complain. 

Captain Jonathan Caldwell, 

Of Haslett's Regiment, 
Was fond of the brave game chickens. 

And carried them where he went; 
He said that his Blue Hen's Chickens 

Were his own and his men's delight. 
For they never showed the white feather. 

They fought for the love of fight. 

And thus the Delaware soldiers 

The Blue Hen's Chickens were named; 
And through the war for our freedom 

For daring deeds were famed; 
And in the long years of struggle. 

Which won for the cause of right. 
They never shrunk from the battle, 

They gloried in the fight. 

For their country's independence. 

For the rights of man they fought; 
And they held that their children's freedom 

By their blood was cheaply bought, 
So they bore fatigue and hunger. 

And happy esteemed their lot. 
When they fought the tyrant's minions 

And gave them steel and shot. 

In the fatal fight of Long Island, 

Their glorious chivalry first. 
On the darkness of lost battle. 

Like a blazing meteor burst. 
And, in every battle and skirmish. 

Their dauntless valor won. 
Near New York City, the praises 

Of the noble Washington. 



They followed him through the Jerseys 

Did all his struggles share; 
In the triumph of Trenton and Princeton 

The Blue Hen's Chickens were there. 
In Germantown's desperate battle 

Their valor was seen to shine; 
And their blood was poured like water 

On the field of Brandywine. 



81 

And then, when far to the southward 

Rolled the tide of war's alarms, 
They aided their Southern brethren 

With their courage and skill in arms. 
When triumph left our banners 

On Camden's fatal field, 
They nobly performed their duty. 

And were the last to yield. 

With Morgan, too, at the Cowpens, 

Inspired by their valor Avarm, 
They drove proud Tarleton's legion 

Like stubble before the storm. 
And at Eutaw they charged the foemen 

With the weapon they loved to wield. 
And, with Maryland and Virginia, 

They chased them from the field. 

At the closing scene at Yorktown, 

When to great Washington 
Cornwallis his arms surrendered. 

And our liberties were won. 
The State of the Blue Hen's Chickens 

Was represented there; 
And her sons, in their last hard battle, 

With the bravest could compare. 

And still in every conflict 

In the glorious day gone by. 
On the rolls of famous valor 

Their names are written high. 
And while true history's pages, 

Shall faithful records give. 
The names of Haslett and Kirkwood, 

And Patten and Vaughn shall live. 

Then honor to Captain Caldwell, 

Who inspired his gallant men 
With the valorous example 

Of the brood of his "famous hen!" 
And glory to brave old Delaware! 

Her very name inspires; 
And her sons still honor the title 

Won by their valiant sires. 

Though her star be the very smallest 

In a constellation so vast, 
It shines 'mid its larger brethren 

With a lustre unsurpassed. 
And whenever the starry banner 

Its folds shall in danger wave, 
The Blue Hen's Chickens will use their spurs 

With the bravest of the brave. 

Governor Hagood then introduced Mr. Thomas Went- 
worth Higginson, of Boston, representing the States of 
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connec- 



82 

ticut, who came forward and delivered the following address 
on behalf of the New England States : 

MR. HIGGINSON'S ORATION. 

In rising to speak for New England, at this time, I have 
the generous pleasure of remembering that the battle we 
celebrate was one in whose honors the New England Col- 
onies had absolutely no direct share. The victory of Cow- 
pens, called by Bancroft "the most extraordinary victory of 
the war," was won exclusively by the men of the Southern 
Colonies, if we include Delaware in the classification. New 
Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut 
were here unrepresented, although the Southern Depart- 
ment was then under the general command of a Rhode 
Island of^cer, Gen. Greene. The New England States now 
aid in celebrating a courage and good fortune which they 
would gladly have shared, but can only honor and com- 
memorate. This only increases the sincerity, and perhaps 
even the value, of their tribute. Men usually have the 
credit of more complete impartiality when they compli- 
ment the children of their neighbors than when they praise 
their own. 

Yet, in a wider sense, we of New England may claim our 
share in every event of that great contest which found us 
a group of scattered Colonies and left us a Nation. I have 
come hither, as it happens, from the original camp-ground 
of the first Continental Army, in Cambridge, Massachu- 
setts. On the edge of that old camp-ground stands my 
father's house. From its windows my childish eyes looked 
out upon the spot where Washington first drew his sword 
as commander-in-chief, and where Morgan and his ninety- 
six Virginia riflemen pitched their tents. Not far from that 
spot is the great house where Washington was quartered, 
and where the poet Longfellow now adds the associations 
of literature to those of war. The day before leaving 
home I stood upon the doorsteps of that stately mansion — 
the very steps on which Washington and Morgan may have 
stood together debating the dangers of the land, or per- 
chance the homelier gossip of their Virginia neighbors. I 
bear you greeting from that historic house, from that his- 
toric camp-ground, from the Washington Elm, from the 
Governor of Massachusetts and from those New England 
States which now represent that portion of the Old 
Thirteen. 



83 

The battle of Cowpens, although hardly more than a 
skirmish when tried by modern standards, was in its daj^, 
according to the British historian Stedman, "a very princi- 
pal link in the chain of circumstances winch led to the 
independence of America." Lord Cornwallis himself de- 
scribes it, in a letter quoted in Tarleton's "Campaign," as 
being "an unexpected and extraordinary event." It was 
extraordinary in three ways: a victory of a smaller over 
a larger number. It was to a great extent a victory of 
militia over regulars. It was a victory won upon a ground 
so selected as to reverse the ordinary precautions of good 
strategy. To draw up an inferior force for a pitched battle 
directly in front of a broad river has always seemed to the 
military critics very imprudent. But this very act showed 
the daring and the foresight of Morgan. When blamed 
he afterwards answered : 'T would not have had a swamp 
in view of my militia on any consideration ; they would 
have made for it, and nothing could have detained them 
from it. '^ '^ '" As to retreat, it was the very thing I 
wished to cut off ail hope of. I would have thanked Tarle- 
ton had he surrounded me with his cavalry." Braver and 
shrewder words never were spoken by a military com- 
mander. 

In respect to the disparity of numbers we have the au- 
thority of the editor of Cornwallis's correspondence, who 
states the whole number on the British side as 1,050, and 
admits Morgan's force to have been "hardly equal." The 
contemporary estimate of the American force, by Governor 
Moultrie, was 1,020; but this was undoubtedly exaggerated. 
Graham has since reduced the number actually engaged on 
the American side to 850 and Greene to 800. When we 
consider that the British loss comprised 80 killed (10 being 
officers), 150 wounded and 600 prisoners, and that the 
Americans lost but 12 killed and 69 wounded, the result 
was simply amazing. Few battles, where the advantages 
of position were so nearly equal, ever showed such inequal- 
ity of results. And when we finally remember that every 
one of Tarleton's men was a veteran soldier, while Morgan's 
Continentals made but about half his force, we can under- 
stand the amazement of Cornwallis when the news came in. 
We need feel no surprise when Moultrie tells us that he 
heard the paroled prisoners at Charleston deploring the 
folly of " entrusting such a command to a boy like Tarle- 
ton." Yet, after all, no general is to be blamed for at last 
encountering a general more brave or more fortunate than 
himself. 



84 

Others have detailed or will detail for you the remoter 
results of the victory at the Cowpens. How far away 
seem now the contests of the Revolutionary time ! Be- 
tween those days and these has rolled the smoke of a later 
strife, now happily passed by. To heal the terrible wounds 
of the later contest ; to criticise each other nobly and gen- 
erously, as friends, not vindictively, as enemies; to encoun- 
ter side by side the new social problems of the new age ; 
this should be the generous rivalry of the descendants of 
the "Old Thirteen." There are sins enough for all to re- 
pent ; errors enough for all to correct. It is useless now to 
distribute the award of praise or blame. There is not a 
State of the Union which has not its own hard problems to 
work out, its own ordeals to go through. No State can 
dare perm.anently to be clouded by the ignorance of any 
class of its people, or to allow any class to oppress any 
other. The bad effects of a single act of injustice may be 
felt among children's children. But each generation learns 
its own lessons, and Time is the great healer. I have seen 
for myself, since the war, upon Southern soil, the spectacle 
of two races whose whole relations were utterly wrenched 
apart, and who are yet learning, year by year, to adapt 
themselves to the new and changed condition. No people 
ever had to face a harder problem. We of the North, be- 
lieve me, are not ignorant of the difficulties, the tempta- 
tions, the mutual provocations; nor can we forget that the 
greater responsibility must rest upon the more educated 
and enlightened race. Noblesse oblige! In the noble 
words of President Lincoln at Gettysburg : "With malice 
towards none, with charity for all, with firmness in the 
right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on 
to finish the work we are in, to bind up the Nation's 
wounds." 

Mr, Higginson's delivery was very happy and easy, and 
elicited frequent bursts of applause and good humored 
laughter. 

Governor Hagood next said : New Jersey, the birthplace 
of Morgan, sends another of her sons to represent the 
Middle States on this occasion. Allow me to introduce the 
Hon. W. H. Francis, of New Jersey. Senator Francis 
came quickly to the front, and in a quick nervous style; 
which showed how fully his heart was in his subject, spoke 
as follows : 



85 

ORATION OF SENATOR FRANCIS. 

My Felloiv-Coiintryvien : I am unexpectedly called upon to 
respond for the Middle States. Don't think that because 
some of those States are big ones that my speech will be a 
long one. [Laughter.] State pride and love of country, 
however, forbid my silence on such an occasion. I am here 
representing the States of New York, New Jersey, Penn- 
sylvania and Delaware. Those States come here to-day in 
my person, and through me they say to the State of South 
Carolina and to all the Southern States whose men took 
part in the bloody strife at Cowpens, we come now with 
our brotherly greeting, to participate with you in the un- 
veiling of this statue which shall stand, for all time, to com- 
memorate the heroic deeds of that battle in which New 
Jersey, at least, had an interest. I am here as a Jerseyman, 
and I am proud of it. My State, a little State, but gallant 
also in its Revolutionary history, comes down here to South 
Carolina personally, and says : Come here my sister, and let 
us look at the page of American . history in which is re- 
corded the battles of Cowpens, Eutaw, Monmouth and 
Princeton ; and they bend down over that page together 
and reverently kiss it. I am here as the representative of 
those Revolutionary heroes. The germ of the man is in 
the boy. The heart and brain and arm of the child become 
the heart and brain and arm of the man, and, my friends, 
if it had not been for an old father and mother on the hill- 
sides of New Jersey you never would have had Daniel 
Morgan to lead your troops to victory at Cowpens. [Laugh- 
ter.] It is, therefore, I say with pride, that I come repre- 
senting those States to lift with you yonder veil and expose 
to view the Hero of Cowpens. [Applause.] Men in them- 
selves are nothing. What are we? General Hampton ? All 
of us? We are but clay. The outward man perishes; but 
men are something for the things that they do, and for the 
results of their deeds. Men are but little account except 
for their deeds, and when we look at the results of Cowpens, 
it stands out as one of the most magnificent epochs in 
American history, and, as it has been truly said, without 
Cowpens there could not have been a Yorktown. The 
Battle of Cowpens made it possible for us to be here to-day 
under these auspices; not alone to celebrate that glorious 
victory, but to celebrate indirectly the growth and expan- 
sion of the great country in which we live. Have you ever 
thought of the subject ? Have you thought how great this 



86 

country of ours is — broad in its domain and inexhaustible 
in its agricultural and mineral resources — a country where 
race, color and creed make no difference, and where every 
man, however humble, can at least elevate himself to the 
proud position of a free American citizen ? There is one 
thing, however, which this country needs badly: it zvauts 
fewer elections, less politics and more internal improvevients. 
[Loud applause ] Let us be true to our advantages. Let 
us highly resolve that we will develop these resources ; that 
we will take the State of South Carolina and develop her lands, 
and that we will take the State of New Jersey and develop 
her lands ; and let us determine that we will know no North, 
no South, no East, no West, but will only know one com- 
mon country, developed in all its interests, all its hopes, all 
its aspirations. Now, finally, fellow-citizens, you and I, let 
us have one high firm hope and trust. Let that hope 
and trust be that, long after the bronze^ head of yonder 
hero shall be whitened by the snows of many winters, and 
that monument by the lapse of years shall have crunibled 
into dust, that we shall see the great rVmazon of the West, 
mighty in heart and arm and brain, stop for a moment and 
pushing aside her magnificent locks look back upon the 
nations of the world following in her footsteps, and with 
her every interest fully developed, her every hope realized ! 
[Loud and prolonged applause.] 

PRESIDENT GARFIELD'S MESSAGE. 

Senator Hampton then came forward and said that he 
desired to deliver a message to the people of South Caro- 
lina, and all present, from the President of the United 
States. I am requested, he said, to express to you the 
President's sincere regret at his inability to be present with 
you upon this occasion. He said that he had desired to be 
here more than at any orher place during this whole year, 
and he was kept away only by the pressure of unavoidable 
public business, and by the indisposition of his wife. He 
begs me to say to the people of South Carolina that he 
hopes that they zvill not forget to invite him on the next grand 
occasion that they have ; and he promises to come, and in 
the name of the people of South Carolina I have assured 
him at all times of a generous reception and an honest and 
a cordial Carolina welcome. 

Governor Hampton's words were hailed with long ap- 
plause, and on motion of Lieutenant Marshall, of the Wash- 



87 

ington Light Infantry, three rousing cheers were given for 
the President of the United States. 

A Grand Battle Monument. 

Full descriptions of tlie column and statue have already 
been published, but no description could give a just idea of 
the real grandeur of Mr. Ward's figure as a work of art. 
The ladies each placed a wreath of evergreens and flowers 
on the base of the monument, and the vast throng moved 
slowly away amid the shouts of thousuids and the martial 
music of the bands. 

Truly this has been a great work, happily completed, 
fittingly dedicated, and to be forever remembered. 

Roll Call of the Washington Light Infantry 

At Spartanburg, S. C, May iith, i88i, upon the occasion 
of unveiling the memorial column erected by the Old 
Thirteen States and the State of Tennessee, in honor of 
the centennial of the victory of Cowpens, won on the 17th 
January, 1781 : 

Captain Geo. D. Bryan. 

First Lieutenant Alex. W. Marshall. 

Junior First Lieutenant W. Lucas Simons. 

Second Lieutenant Geo. B. Edwards. 

Junior Second Lieutenant J. Lamb Johnston. 

First Sergeant J. F. Corcoran. 

Sergeant ]. T. W. Flint. 

Sergeant C. S. McNelty. 

Sergeant J. C. VonSanten. 

Corporal A. H. Robson. 

Corporal Geo. J. Sigwald. 

Corporal P. A. Robertson. 

Corporal Edwin S. Rowand. 

Corporal ]. E. Thouron. 

Corporal Frank F. Whilden. 

Marker Master Campbell Courtenay. 

Color Guard. 

D. B. Gilliland. John D. Kelly, Secretary. 

Fred. H. Honour,^ Treasiirer. F. P. Salas.* 



^■Color Bearer. 



88 



Privates. 



Armstrong, Alex. D. 
Davis, Jos. C. 
Deveau, J. P., Jr. 
Drake, J. B. 
DuBose. J. M. 
Getty, J. W. 
Gill, H. C. 
Honour, G. M. 
Jager, A. J. 
Laurey, H. C. 
Lanneau, Geo. J. 
Matthiessen, C. S. 
Martin, T. S. 
Moore, W. R. 
Moore, F. O. 
Mullings, Geo. M. 
McDowell, E. T. 
O'Neill, W. F. 



Passailaigue, T. W. 
Peck, E. L. 
Radcliffe, A. R. 
Richwood, Geo. 
Richardson, Chas. Y. 
Robertson, D. P., ex-It. 
Schirmer, E. H. 
Schirmer, J. F. 
Schirmer, C. C. 
St. Amand. J. Victor 
Smith, D. Van 
Simons, W. Noble 
Teskey, Robert 
Thomas, J. M. 
Venning, S. A. 
Venning, J. M. 
Waring, L. G. 
White, E. J., veteran. 



Honoraiy Members. 



Gov. Johnson Hagood. 
Ex-Gov. Wade Hampton. 
Gen'l H. I. Hunt, U. S. A. 
Hon. Geo. S. Bryan. 
Ex-Capt. Lewis M. Hatch. 



Ex-Capt.Wm. A. Courtenay. 
Ex-Capt. R. C. Gilchrist. 
Rev. A. Toomer Porter, 

Chaplain. 
Col. H. S. Thompson. 



W. L. I. ]''eteran Assoeiation. 



Lieut. W. M. Muckenfuss. Campbell Douglas. 

G. G. Blackwood. 



J)ociaI Fvents ^h\\\t rei)tei)i)ial. 



HE largest gathering of people ever known in the 
history of Spartanburg assembled there to honor 
the memory of the victors of the Cowpens. It was esti- 
mated that eighteen thousand people were present at the 
ceremonies. In spite of the great numbers, all were cared 
for, and proper attentions paid to prominent guests. 

A Banquet and Reception. 

At five o'clock the members of the Washington Light 
Infantry staff, the offlcers of difTerent commands and in- 
vited guests, sat down to a splendid banquet, given at the 
Merchants' Hotel by the City Council of Spartanburg. 
The table, which reached the full length of the dining ha 1, 
was in the form of a double T. The entertainment was 
served in regular courses, and was one of the most delight- 
ful events of the occasion, 

Among the distinguished guests were Judge Bryan, of the 
United States Court; Rev. Dr, Porter, Lieutenant D. M. 
Taylor, U. S A. ; Colonels J. B. Washington, S. B. Pickens, 
and others. 

By request. Colonel D. R. Duncan presided, and did the 
honors with easy grace. After his exceedingly well-timed 
welcoming address. Rev. Dr. Porter asked a blessing, and 
through more than two hours of uninterrupted pleasure the 
banquet was prolonged. Tov.^ards the close of the enter- 
tainment General Hunt, U. S. A,, entered the hall, and was 
greeted with the famous " Skyrocket " of the W. L. I. The 
Hon. J. S. R. Thompson, Mayor of Spartanburg, offered 
the health of Governor Hagood, which was drunk amidst 
much applause, and gracefully responded to in the Gover- 
nor's absence by Captain George D. Bryan, W. L. I. 

GOVERNOR HAGOOD'S RECEPTION. 

At six o'clock His Excellency entertained all the distin- 
guished guests at a reception, at the Windsor Hotel. 

It is only possible to note the chief events of the brilliant 
evening. 



90 

The first toast, proposed by Governor Hagood, was in 
honor of the "Old Thirteen States," and was eloquently 
responded to by Governor Jarvis, of North Carolina, who 
spoke of the Centennials of the Battles of King's Mountain 
and the Cowpens and the coming celebration at Yorktown, 
and said : "As Yorktown was the end of the Revolution, so 
may God in His mercy let it be the end of strife in this land 
of ours, and in October next let us leave it friends forever." 

The next was by Colonel H. S. Thompson, in honor of 
the Army of the United States, and responded to with 
great fervor by General Hunt, U. S. A. 

The Southern States was the next sentiment proposed 
by Ex-Governor Bonham, and elicited the following elo- 
quent reply from Judge Christian, of the Supreme Court of 
Appeals of Virginia, who spoke substantially as follows: 

Mr. President ami Fellow-citizens representing the Old 
Thirteen States : Virginia brings to South Carolina to-day 
her cordial greeting. I am here at the request of the Gov- 
ernor of Virginia to represent that State in the grand cer- 
emonies which to-day celebrate the Battle of the Cowpens 
and to witness the unveiling of the statue of Gen. Morgan, 
the hero of that battle, and one of the great heroes of the 
Revolution, erected near the spot of his great triumph. 
The work has been accomplished, and to-day there has been 
unveiled to our vision one of the grandest works of art on 
this Continent; one in which the artist seems to have 
caught inspiration from his task, and breathed into the 
statue of bronze, the very form of the hero and every lin- 
eament of his face until the whole seems almost instinct 
with life. 

As an humble representative of Virginia, and regretting 
the necessary absence of her excellent and eloquent Gov- 
ernor, whom I can but feebly represent, in his name and 
the name of Virginia I greet you with a cordial greeting, 
and rejoice with you in the triumphs which this day com- 
memorates, and in the glory and prosperity of a common 
country which the Battle of Cowpens did so much to 
accomplish. 

Seated to-day upon the platform to which I was invited 
by the courtesy of your honored and excellent Governor, 
and looking into the upturned faces of twenty thousand 
people, my eye did not rest upon a single familiar face, and 
yet I can truly say that I did not feel that I was a stranger 
here. 



91 

The man born and reared on the soil of Virginia cannot 
feel that he is a stranger when he treads upon the soil of 
South Carolina. The bond of union between these two 
States is made fast and firm by the common sufferings and 
the common glories of a century; and is cemented by the 
best blood of both States, shed in a common cause on a 
hundred battlefields. The green arm of Spring is now 
decking the soil under which sleep their commingled dust. 
Common suffering and common glory makes common pride 
and common sympathy. 

You people of South Carolina are no more proud of the 
name of Yorktown than we of Virginia are proud of the 
name of the Cowpens. If the names of Washington and 
Jefferson, and Henry and Jackson, and of the dead and 
living Lees, are dear to the people of South Carolina, 
equally dear to Virginia are the names of Marion and Sum- 
ter and Pinckney and Rutledge and Calhoun, and of the 
dead and living Hamptons. 

When my feet touched the soil of South Carolina to-day, 
for the first time I felt that I stood upon holy ground, and 
was tempted like the great leader of Israel, "to put off the 
shoes from my feet." I stood upon the very spot where 
Daniel Morgan turned upon his pursuers and struck that 
stunning blow against the British armies which raised the 
hopes of the exhausted and despairing Colonies, and sent a 
thrill of joy and anticipated triumph through every heart 
that was loyal to liberty. 

The sentiment to which I have the honor to respond is 
"The Southern States." Virginia has the right to speak in 
the name of the Southern States, for while she is the 
"Mother of States" she is peculiarly the mother of the 
Southern States; to every one of them she has sent col- 
onies of her people, and to every one she has transmitted 
her laws, her institutions and her civilization. The blood 
of Virginia flows in the veins of some of the best people of 
every Southern State, and she holds in her bosom the 
brave men of every Southern State, who died upon her soil 
fighting in a cause w^hich they believed to be right. On 
every hill-top and valley, on the sides of her mountains and 
on the banks of her rivers are the honored graves of the 
sons of every Southern State. Over these graves Virginia 
has built her monuments, and will forever guard their 
sacred dust. 

The Southern States form in themselves a country equal 
in extent to the great empires of the Old World. Extend- 



92 

ing from the Potomac to the Gulf of Mexico and from, the 
Atlantic to the Mississippi, and even beyond to the Rio 
Grande, they embrace within their boundaries every variety 
of climate, soil and production. The snows of winter lie 
upon the mountains and valleys of Virginia, while the ever- 
glades of Florida bloom with perennial flowers; and be- 
tween these two extremes are all the varieties of the tem- 
perate zone. 

Within these broad limits is contained a variety of soils 
that will produce everything that the highest civilization of 
man requires. 

The production of these Southern States will clothe and 
feed the world ; and are sent upon the wings of commerce 
to every quarter of the globe, and everything that grows 
upon the surface of the earth, or that is found within its 
bosom which is necessary to the comfort and luxury of civ- 
ilized man everywhere, is found within the boundaries of 
this vast domain. 

But, Mr. President, time will not permit me, and it would 
be out of taste, to follow longer the suggestions which 
)/our sentiment inspires. It is a subject which would re- 
quire hours to do justice to. I beg leave, in further response 
to the toast which has been drunk to ''the Southern States," 
and to which I have briefly responded, to propose in its 
place and by way of further response the following senti- 
ment : "The United States of America, States so united 
that they shall not henceforth after this Centennial year be 
called Southern States or Northern States or Eastern 
States, but the United States of America." 

If I ever stand upon foreign soil, or under the folds of a 
foreign flag, I will not say that I come from the Southern 
States, but I come from the United States of America, and 
I am an American citizen. I would claim the American 
flag, the Stars and Stripes, as the flag of my country, under 
whose ample folds, as it floats over the land and over the 
sea, shall give me its protection everywhere. 

Mr. President, it is a meet and fitting memorial that the 
centennial commemoration of the Battle of Cowpens 
should be celebrated before the centennial celebration of 
Yorktown, which saw the grand consummation of victory, 
which established American independence. For it is not 
too much to say that it is doubtful, to say the least, 
whether without Daniel Morgan and the Battle of Cow- 
pens, Yorktown would ever have been a name in history or 
American Independence ever established. 



93 

The final victory over the British arms at Yorktown was 
due in a great degree to the triumph of Morgan at the 
Battle of Cowpens, These memorials of great events in a 
nation's history, which you are celebrating here, and which 
we propose to celebrate in Virginia in October next, at 
Yorktown, are not without meaning, but will have National 
uses and are of advantage to the whole country. They 
serve to stimulate the national pride and a large and liberal 
patriotism. They are commemorative ot the great events 
of our history, which have influenced the history of the 
world. 

They keep alive before the present generation the sacred 
memories of the Past. A land v/ithout memories is a land 
without history ; a land without monuments is a land with- 
out heroes. In the language of that sweet singer of the 
South, whom all Southern men delight to honor, Father 
Ryan, I can say : 

" Yes, give me the land that hath legends and lays, 
That tell of the memories of long vanished days. 
Yes, give me a land with a grave in each spot, 
And names in the graves that shall not be forgot; 
For the graves of the dead, with the grass overgrown, 
May yet form the footstool of Liberty's throne, 
And each single wreck in the warpath of Might, 
Shall yet be a rock in the Temple of Right." 

Yes, let South Carolina keep green the memories of the 
heroes of Cowpens ; let her build monuments to their mem- 
ories, and teach their glorious names to their children for- 
ever. Morgan and Howard, and Brooks and Giles, and 
Triplett and Pickens, and Prier and Andrew Hamilton, and 
McDowell and Washington! Men such as these have sel- 
dom met together on the same battlefield. Among these 
names we are now here to honor, the central figure is that 
of Daniel Morgan. Of humble birth, and without educa- 
tion, commencing his early life as a wagoner under Brad- 
dock, he showed himself a leader among men, and one who 
could inspire those whom he led with the same faith and 
courage which always brought success. 

I cannot forbear to mention one or two incidents of his 
noble life which always impressed my imagination as a boy, 
and which in maturer years I think illustrated that he pos- 
sessed grand qualities which made him one of the leaders 
and one of the grand heroes of the Revolution. 

As soon as the Revolutionary War broke out, living then 
at Winchester, in the State of Virginia, he raised a com- 



94 

pany of hardy mountaineers, containing 96 men, called the 
" Morgan Rifles." Their uniform was a hunting-shirt, on 
the breast of which were stitched in letters by their 
wives, mothers and sweethearts, the words: "Liberty or 
Death!" He marched with this company 600 miles to Bos- 
ton, where Washington was then in command of the Con- 
tinental Forces. Arriving near Boston late in the evening 
his company were resting under the shade, after their long 
march, when Morgan saw Washington riding out alone. He 
had been with Washington at Braddock's defeat, and re- 
cognized him at once. He drew up his men into line as 
Washington approached, and Morgan, saluting him, said: 
" General, I come 600 miles, from the right bank of the 
Potomac, and bring to you these gallant men, every one of 
whom knows how to shoot a rifle, and every of whom knows 
how to die for liberty ; for you see, sir, that each man bears 
his banner upon his breast, " Liberty or Death !" 

History records that the great Washington, leaping upon 
the ground from his horse, went down the line and shook 
hands with every man of Morgan's Riflemen, and the tears 
streaming down his face remounted his horse and rode off 
without saying a word. 

Morgan was next heard of on the plains of Abraham, 
charging the bastion of St. Roche, when the glorious Mont- 
gomery was killed and Morgan was taken prisoner. And 
just here let me relate another incident, which illustrates 
his character as a man as well as a soldier. He made at the 
head of his riflemen so gallant a charge and fought so des- 
perately that the English were filled with admiration for his 
bravery. He was now their prisoner, and was sent for by 
the British General, who in flattering terms offered him a 
commission as Colonel in the English Army if he would 
abandon the cause of the Rebels {^s he called them,) and join 
the English Army. This was a tempting offer to a poor, 
humble and uneducated man like Morgan, but he spurned 
the offer, and the words which he uttered ought to be en- 
graved in enduring marble forever: '' I hope,'" he said, look- 
ing sternly at the English General, " That yon tvill never 
again insult me in my distressed and 7infortnnate situation, 
by making me offers which plainly imply that yon think I am 
a scoundrel^ 

One other incident that occurred at the Battle of Cow- 
pens I must refer to. After he had disposed his troops late 
at night, ready for the attack upon Tarleton in the morn- 
ing, he gave out this in his homely phrase to his confident 



95 

and courageous troops, as a sort of general order, not so 
eloquent, it is true, as those of Napoleon or Nelson or the 
Duke of Wellington, but equally (^s effective. It was this: 

"The old wagoner will crack his whip over Ben Tarleton 
in the morning as sure as he lives. Just hold up your 
heads, boys ; three fires, three cheers and a charge, and you 
are free. And then when you return to your homes how 
the old folks will bless you, and the girls kiss you, for your 
gallant conduct." 

More eloquent and stirring words may have been said — 
said by Napoleon when on the soil of old Egypt, and under 
the shadows of the Pyramids, just before he fought the 
Mammalukes, he proclaimed, " Soldiers of France, from the 
heights of yonder pyramids forty centuries look down upon 
you." Or when Nelson threw out his glorious ensign at 
the Battle of Trafalgar, in the presence of all the sailors of 
England, upon which were emblazoned the words: " Eng- 
land, this day, expects every man to do his duty." Or 
when Wellington, in the supreme and decisive moment at 
Waterloo, said to his veterans, whom he had held in reserve, 
" Up, guards, and at them." I say these words by these 
great leaders may have been put in more eloquent phrase, 
but they were not more effective to stir the patriotism and 
stimulate the courage of a true soldier than the homely but 
immortal words of Daniel Morgan: "When you return to 
your homes how the old folks will bless you, and the girls 
kiss you, for your gallant conduct." 

Napoleon and Nelson and Wellington appealed to the 
sentiment of glory ; Morgan appealed to the sentiment of 
patriotism, and his homely words, I say here in the pres- 
ence of the eloquent orators who have addressed you to-day, 
were more eloquent and more inspiring than those uttered 
by the great leaders who filled so large a space in history ; 
for the words of Morgan appealed to no mere sentiment of 
glory, but were the words to thrill the heart of mankind, in 
an appeal to the love of home and mother and wife and 
sweetheart. They were words to stimulate and inspire the 
soldier and make him fight for his country and his home. 

Mr. President, we have here assembled to-night, repre- 
sentative men from the Old Thirteen States. It is an oc- 
casion when v\ e can ail say " let the dead past bury its 
dead." Forgetting the dark and bloody years of fratricidal 
strife, let us all look hopefully to the future. Let every 
man throughout this broad land say this is my country. It 
shall be made peaceful, prosperous and glorious, under equal 



96 

laws, under a common government, and under the protect- 
ing folds of a common flag. 

1 thank you, Mr. President, and the people of South 
Carolina, for the courtesies which, through me, you have 
shown to Virginia. 

A number of descendants of Andrew Hamilton, of whom 
Judge Christian spoke, are living. Dr. Andrew Simonds, of 
Charleston, is his great grandson, and the Calhouns, the 
Parkers, of Columbia, and the Cabells, of Virginia, are also 
descendants of Hamilton. 

By Captain James Simons: "The New England States, 
the Cradle of American Liberty." Responded to by Colonel 
Thomas VVentworth Higginson, of Massachusetts. 

The speech of State Senator Francis, of New Jersey, in 
response to the toast of " The Middle States," which was 
proposed by the Hon. George Johnstone, of Newberry, was 
well received and loudly applauded. 

By Major Gilchrist: "The descendants of Daniel Mor- 
gan." Responded to by Lieutenant Daniel Morgan Taylor, 
of the United States Army, who had journeyed all the way 
from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to take part in the festivi- 
ties of the occasion, made a most graceful and eloquent 
response, as follows: 

Gentlemen: I appear before you in response to your call, 
although I feel painfully conscious that among the descend- 
ants here to-day there are many who are better fitted than 
I am to perform the task you have assigned me, but many 
years ago, when 1 first donned blue coat and bright buttons, 
I learned the habit of coming when called, and I have not 
yet gotten rid of it. 

I feel deeply touched by the vicarious honor which has 
been done me, in calling upon me to address you. I say 
vicarious honor, for I know full well that I owe the position 
in which I now find myself, not to any merit of my own, 
but to the fact that one hundred years ago there lived a 
man of the people, who by manly exertion, simple-minded 
devotion to duty, and natural capabilities as a soldier, 
helped to raise the pedestal upon which this Nation stands 
to-day, and makes her voice heard throughout the entire 
world when she speaks for right and justice, and that in me 
you see but an heir of that man's name and blood. Yonder, 
in enduring bronze, upon its pedestal of granite, stands the 
counterfeit presentment of a typical American soldier, 



97 



THE WAGONER OF THE ALLEGHANIES, 

who, rising from the ranks of the people, became a Brigadier- 
General in the Continental Army, and the bronze of his 
statue or the granite of its pedestal is not more firm than 
were his determination and constancy of purpose upon the 
field of Cowpens a century ago. Upon that field he fought 
and conquered, and 'tis here we meet to-day to honor his 
memory and that of the gallant captains who so nobly and 
effective!}^ carried out his designs under him. But is this 
all? No! a thousand times no! Our mission here to-day 
is one larger than can be compared by the existence of any 
one or any dozen men that ever lived. Here have we met 
to-day to teach to the world that constancy of purpose, 
energ/ of execution and devotion to duty and one's country 
are wider, higher, deeper and more enduring than mountain 
or valley or the everlasting sea. 

Time and the elements may deface and mar the beauty 
of our statue, and bronze and granite may fail to perpetuate 
the glory so fresh in all our minds to-day, but built up in 
the hearts of all those whom I see a'round me is another 
monument — a memory, which shall be transmitted from 
father to son, till Time shall be no more. 

From father to son, down the long vista of years to come, 
I see handed the principles to honor which we have met 
to-day, and even as the name of Marathon is remembered 
and to-day sends the blood tingling more briskly through 
the veins when it is mentioned, although even the dust of 
its heroes has gone into nothingness, so when this monu- 
ment shall have crumbled away will there be an undying 
monument in the hearts and lives of the descendants of 
those whom I see around me. 

Let us see that our children shall know the meaning of 
this tribute of a grateful people to lives made glorious by 
the most elevated sentiments with which Divine Provi- 
dence ever endowed sons of men — love of country, devotion 
to duty. 

Here was no question of personal supremacy, here no 
question of birth or birthplace amongst those whose names 
adorn your column ! No desire of personal fame caused 
any difference between the higher born subordinates in 
that little command and their plebian commander Morgan, 
but looking steadfastly on the twin guiding stars of coun- 
try and duty, with their watchword, " God and our Na- 
tive Land," imprinted deeply in their hearts, they with 
their scanty following gave battle to Tarleton's troops, 



98 



THE FLOWER OF THE BRITISH ARMY, 

with a calm courage that hurled a shattered, routed army 
from yonder field and dealt a blow to British supremacy 
that Yorktown did but finish! 

And oh! gentlemen of the Thirteen Original States! 
countrymen all ! I would, to night, recall to you the fact 
that he whose manly form stands facing the scene of his 
great victory was a Jersey born Virginian, and that he pur- 
sued his steadfast purpose with equal vigor in whatever 
direction he found his duty lay. Whether beneath the 
beetling bluffs of Quebec, or on Stillwater's glorious field, 
or here again in South Carolina, whatsoever his hands found 
to do, that he did with all his might. Since those days, my 
countrymen, his spirit, side by side with those of Wayne 
and Pickens, Sumter and Putnam, has looked down upon 
their common country for which they had all suffered so 
much, and seen it rent and bleeding with internal strife. 
Here in South Carolina were the descendants of the men 
who fought with him at Saratoga invading the State that 
had given us a Pickens and a Sumter, and the eagles of the 
AUeghanies looked down from their eyries into the fair 
valleys of Pennsylvania and wept to see the men of the 
States of Lighthorse Harry Lee, Marion and Moultrie, as 
hostile invaders in the State where Muhlenberg was born. 

It may be said that such things should not be touched 
upon on such an occasion — that they should be forgotten ; 
but I say to you, not so. They should never be forgotten, 
but be remembered, that their like may never recur. Let 
us use the recollection of them to fortify us in the certainty 
of a resolution that they shall never occur again, but that 
the lesson that shall be handed down from generation to 
generation shall be that inscribed upon our columns, "One 
People, no North, no South, no East, no West, a common 
interest, one country, one destiny, as it was, so ever let it 
be!" Let us make of this monument, and of other like 
monuments, not objects of local pride, but of national signifi- 
cance. Let us not look at them and say, " This man or 
that was from our city, or our State," but let us all, irre- 
spective of the latitude and longitude of the places of our 
birth, shake hands together and say, " This was our country- 
man." 

Let us teach our children to be too large for anything 
smaller than a nation to hold them. Let us teach them to 
be too large nationally to be confined within any imaginary 



99 

lines of township, county, or State, but to look for the Hmits 
of their nationahty only to those natural boundaries which 
the God of Nature has set as the frontier of our domain. 
Let us teach them to say, not " I am of this State or of 
that," not " I am a Northerner, a Southerner, from the East 
or from the West," but with head erect and olowinfr eye, 
to proclaim unto the world, " I am a citizen of the United 
States." 

Let this be the lesson which our column shall teach, and 
this done, oh ! my friends, old Daniel Morgan, " wagoner, 
warrior, patriot," whose part in all this pomp that fills the 
circuit of the summer hills, is that his grave is green — old 
Daniel Morgan, with Pickens, Washington and Howard, 
will look down from heaven's battlements upon a country 
greater and grander than their brightest dreams e'er pic- 
tured, and feel that dead, they have won a greater and more 
enduring victory than they won on the field of Cowpens a 
hundred years ago. 

By General Bratton : " The gentlemen of Spartanburg, 
the Gate City of South Carolina." Responded to by Mayor 
Thompson. 



How widespread the interest in the celebration can be 
judged by the following letter from the grandson of La- 
fayette : 

Paris, September 27, 1880. 

To the Hon. W.A. Conrtenay, Mayor of tJie City of Charleston 
anel C/iairnian of the Cozvpens Centennial Committee : 

Mr. Chairman — The kind letter which you did me the 
honor of writing me would have been answered sooner, but 
for the fact that your dispatch, although dated June 28th, 
did not reach me until the beginning of September, when I 
was on the eve of starting on a rather long journey. Hav- 
ing returned to Paris a few days since, I now hasten to atone 
for my delay. Permit me to appeal to your indulgence and 
to pray that you present my excuses to your colleagues. 

The invitation of the Committee has deeply affected me, 
and I cannot but consider it as another homage paid to 
the memory of my illustrious grandfather, the Marquis de 
Lafayette, who was a companion in arms of Washington, 
and, as you are pleased to recall it, his adopted son. F'ur- 
thermore, the precious marks of affection which have been 



100 

shown by the citizens of the United States to him who was 
a devoted servant in the cause of the War of Independence, 
are to his descendants of inestimable vakie. I have several 
times had occasion to make this statement, both in the 
name of my family and in my own, and would not repeat it 
in this letter were it not my desire, Mr. Chairman, to ex- 
press to you once more my personal sentiments, those of 
the deepest gratitude towards the American people. You 
may, therefore, rest assured of my lively sympathy with all 
that relates to the consideration and glory of your great 
Republic, and it is with great pleasure that I join in spirit 
with the object of the Committee. In desiring to cele- 
brate the Centennial of the Battle of the Cowpens they 
have been happily inspired, and inasmuch as this contest 
prepared for glorious victory of Yorktown, we should con- 
sider it as an event of great importance. 

Hence I appreciate all the reasons you adduce to have 
me present with you. Believe me when I say that it 
would prove to me an agreeable voyage. Furthermore, it 
would appear to me desirable that some one member of 
the Lafayette family should be present at the solemnity 
of 1 88 1, and bow his head, along with citizens of the United 
States, before the glorious memorial of the Battle of the 
Cowpens. 

Unfortunately, my Parliamentary duties do not allow me 
to absent myself while the Chambers are in session, and I 
cannot even temporarily abandon the seat which has been 
confided to me in the Senate. 

Allow me, therefore, to pray that you will interpret my 
sentiments to the members of the Committee. 

Assure them that I will be with them, in thought and in 
heart, when they meet to honor the patriotism and the 
valor of the combatants of the Cowpens. 

Accept, also, Mr. Chairman, my very sincere thanks and 
the expression of my respectful sentiments. 

(Signed,) " OSCAR DE LAFAYETTE, 

Senator and President of the General Council of the Depart- 
ment of Seine et Mnrne. 

The following patriotic ode was written for the one hun- 
dredth anniversary of General Daniel Morgan's victory at 
Cowpens, dedicated to the Washington Light Infantry of 
South Carolina, by Lieutenant Daniel Morgan Taylor, 
United States Army: 



J 01 

"Arms and the man I sing!" 

But not as poets did of old; 

Of doughty deeds by noble warriors bold, 
Trained from their earliest days to do no other thing. 

I sing the deeds of one of plainer mold: 

A warrior only by the love his heart 

Bore for his native land; his part 
To do his duty with a heart that ne'er grew cold. 

I claim for him no faultless record clear, 

He was above all other things a man, — 

But one well formed, on Nature's largest plan 
Of all created things to God most dear. 

In youth impetuous, brooking no delay. 

He onward pressed toward whate'er was his aim, 

And whether he sought woman's love, for coveted fame, 

In singlemindedness he strove and gained the day. 

When into Western wild plunged Braddock rash, 

'Gainst savage foe, there Morgan went, with that ill-fated band; 

Unknown as yet, save for his honest heart and ready hand — 
And there received unmerited the insult of the lash. 

But not for this could malice find its way. 

Or base revenge within that manly heart 

In general's guise, as well as in his lowlier part, 
His life was generous, clear, and open as the day. 

When prisoner at Quebec the foemen learned 
His lofty spirit, when, his loyalty to shake. 
They, to him offering rank and gold, his country to forsake, 

The princely-hearted plebian all their profEers spurned. 

Stillwater! glorious field! and Saratoga bright! 
With thy names both, in character of flame, 
Shall Morgan's shine! with Arnold's, free from shame 

Till treason came to quench that glorious light. 

Oh! gallant heart! t'was thus thou paved'st the way 

For future glories gained by duty done; 

In many a toilsome march, in many a battle won, 
Till climax of thy glory came on Cowpens' day! 

Auspicious day! and unforgotten till a-wearied time shall close! 
When bleeding, baffled Tarleton was hurled from that stricken field 
By those two knights pre-eminent, who never learned to yield, 

And whose effectual swords ne'er fell in fruitless blows. 

Morgan and AVashington! a wreath of deathless fame, 

Here, on this field, an hundred years ago, 

Ye for yourselves did twine, and so 
We bless ye both to-day, in our joint country's name. 

Oh! Morgan! wagoner, warrior, patriot true, 
A century, with its deeds, has passed, and yet thy name 
Is brighter now than ever, and thy fame 

To-day, in everlasting bronze, shines forth anew. 




JUST previous to the Cowpens Centennial, the late Col. 
T. Bailey Myers, of New York, printed, at his own 
expense, a pamphlet of fifty-five pages, entitled : " Cowpens 
Papers, being correspondence of General Morgan and promi- 
nent actors," relating to the victory of Cowpens, from his 
valuable unpublished manuscript collections. 

DEDICATORY LETTER. 

To the Hon. William A. Courtenay, Mayor of Charleston and Chair- 
man, ajid the Gentlemen of the Centennial Committee of Arrange- 
jnents for the Unveiling of the Cozvpens Moniinieiit : 

Being unable to reach Charleston in season to unite in 
your interesting commemoration, it has occurred to their 
possessor to recognize the thoughtful kindness of your invi- 
tation, by placing in the hands of Captain Dawson — always 
alert in matters of public interest — ^some original, and, he 
believes, unpublished letters, connected with the event, to 
be offered as a pendant to your proceedings. They fell 
some two years since into an historical collection of Ameri- 
cana, largely of unprinted matter, to the formation of which 
he has pleasantly devoted the leisure hours of a life already 
long enough to have somewhat familiarized him with the 
details of that and other glorious events in which every 
American should have a lasting interest, and to remember 
well the earlier memorial ceremonies in 1856, in which the 
Chairman participated ; and he thinks that, when the com- 
ing ceremonies are accomplished, that officer will be entitled 
to say of the commemoration of Cowpens, '^ quorum magna 
pars fuiy 

The letters, it is proper to say, form a small portion of 
the original correspondence of General Daniel Morgan, 
written on current events, more than a century since. The 
circular of the agent — in New Orleans — for their sale, which 
accidently placed them in a private collection, set forth that 
a State had once proposed to become their owner, and ex- 
pressed the wish of a descendant of General Morgan, to 
"sell them in one lot rather than separate them as auto- 
graphs or curiosities." Appreciating this feeling as to family 
papers, the present owner has had them restored, by a skill- 
ful hand, from the ravages of time, cleaned, and separately 
mounted, and has illustrated them with the appropriate por- 
traits and views, with an intent to their permanent preser- 
vation entire. 



104 



He feels that, in selecting the few that bear upon this 
event, and placing them in such form as to be accessible to 
those who appreciate and celebrate the notable service of 
the gallant soldier who received them, and of his associ- 
ates — a century after, near the place where he achieved his 
useful glory — rather than in the columns of an historical 
magazine, he takes the most suitable way in which to^fulfill 
his casual trust. 

Very respectfully, and truly yours, 

New York, May i, 1881. T. BAILEY MYERS. 

From this source much material, entirely new, has been 
utilized for these centennial proceedings, and although this 
courteous and public-spirited citizen has since passed away, 
the Committee gratefully recall his meritorious services in 
behalf of American History, and would preserve his mem- 
ory in these centennial proceedings. 

The following biographical sketches will, the Committee 
hope, prove interesting in this centennial record: 

General Daniel Morgan, 

one of the most remarkable soldiers evolved by the events 
of the times previous to and during the War for American 
Independence, was the subject of this brief memoir : though 
authorities differ as to his birth-place, General Hampton 
fixes it in Huntington County, New Jersey, in 1735. At 

the age of seventeen 
he settled in the, then, 
wilds of the Valley of 
Virginia, and labored 
on a farm. We next 
find him the owner of a 
wagon and team. Fur- 
ther on he was with 
Braddock's Army as a 
teamster. When the 
news of Lexington 
reached Virginia, in 
1775, he had so far ad- 
vanced his personal po- 
sition in the communi- 
ty in which he lived, 
that he enlisted with 
alacrity a full company 
of ninety-six riflemen, and marched at their head to Cam- 
bridge, Mass., and reported for duty to General Washington. 




105 

His command was assigned to Arnold's column, which un- 
dertook the capture of Quebec, and ended in disaster. We 
next hear of Captain Morgan, a paroled prisoner from 
Canada, landing in New York, and casting himself on his 
native soil, as if to embrace it, cried aloud : " O, my coun- 
try !" Reporting at once to General Washington, the 
Commander-in-Chief transmitted to Congress his views of 
the patriot soldier in the following early letter : 

Harlem Heights, September 20, 1776. 
To tJic President of Congress : 

Sir — I would beg leave to recommend to the particular 
notice of Congress Captain Daniel Morgan, just returned 
among the prisoners from Canada. His conduct as an offi- 
cer, on the expedition with General Arnold last fall, his 
intrepid behaviour in the assault upon Quebec, when the 
brave Montgomery fell, the inflexible attachment he pro- 
fessed to our cause during his imprisonment, and which he 
perseveres in, all, in my opinion, entitle him to the favor of 
Congress, and leads me to believe that in his promotion the 
State will gain a good and valuable ofificer. '''' '''' * 
I am, sir. 

Your very humble servant, 

GEO. WASHINGTON. 

Captain Morgan was forthwith commissioned by Congress 
Colonel, and assigned to the command of the iith Virgi- 
nia Infantry, in which his rifle corps was included. He was 
very prominent at Stillwater, when General Burgoyne was 
defeated and surrendered his army to General Gates, who 
most unjustly, in his of^cial report, omitted his name from 
the honorable mention to which he was conspicuously enti- 
tled. Transferred to the Southern Department, he greatly 
distinguished himself as a partisan officer. Assigned to a 
separate command, and a special service, he manoeuvred for 
position, and finally defeated Colonel Tarleton at the Cow- 
pens, on Broad River, under the most extraordinary cir- 
cumstances, killing, wounding and capturing nearly as many 
British .=oldiers as he had of troops in the fight, and by a 
wonderful march crossing the Broad, Catawba and other 
streams in mid-winter, eluded Cornwallis' vigorous pursuit, 
and united his forces with General Greene in North Carolina. 

For these splendid achievements Congress voted him a 
gold medal and the thanks of the country. We herewith 
print the obverse and reverse of this elegant gift. 



lOG 




The legends translated are : " The American Congress to 
General Daniel Morgan." " Victory the Asserter of Lib- 
erty." Exergue. " The foe put to flight, taken or slain at 
the Cowpens, January 17th, 1781." 

At the close of the war he resided on his estate, in Clark 
County, Va., a few miles from Winchester, which he called 
Saratoga. He commanded the militia organized to quell 
the Whiskey Insurrection in Western Virginia, in 1794, and 
soon after was elected to Congress. In 1800 he changed 
his residence to Winchester, where he died in July, 1802, in 
the 67th year of his age. His grave is in the Presbyterian 
Cemetery, at Winchester, and over it stands a plain hori- 
zontal marble, raised from the ground, with this inscription : 
" Major-General Daniel Morgan departed this life on July 
6th, 1802, in the sixty-seventh year of his age. Patriotism 
and valor were the prominent features of his character, and 
the honorable services he rendered to his country during 
the Revolutionary War crowned his life with glory, and will 
remain in the hearts of his countrymen a perpetual monu- 
ment to his memory." 

At the end of nearly a century this tomb is still standing, 
although 'tis said, relic-hunters, visiting the spot, have 
chipped the marble and somewhat defaced it. 

A century after his brilliant victory the 46th Congress, by 
a unanimous vote, appropriated $20,000 for the bronze 
statue which crowns the monument in Spartanburg. The 
prediction on his tomb proved true, even in the fourth 
generation. 

"To live in hearts we leave behind 
Is not to die." 



lor 



Andrew Pickens, 

of a lineage traced back through the centuries to that sad 
procession of half a million French Protestant refugees, 
crossing as best they could the guarded borders of France, 
in Louis XlVth time, exiles for liberty of religious opin- 
ions — for some a temporary resting place in Scotland — 
another sojourn in the North of^Ireland, where our hero's 

p a rents were 
born — then, the 
yearning for ab- 
solute liberty — 
" a State with- 
out a King — a 
Church without 
a J) i s h o p ' ' — ■ 
b r o II g h t the 
Pickens family 
across the wide 
Atlantic to Pax- 
ton Township, 
\'n., where, on 
the ifjth of Sep- 
tember, 1739, the 
subject of this 
too brief rne- 
inoir first saw 
the light ; while 
yet i n e a r I y 
childhood h i s 
family removed 
to Augusta County, Virginia. The desire for a milder cli- 
mate, the news of rich lands to the Southward, and about 
the iniddle of the XVIIIth Century those long wagon trains 
from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, Southward 
bound, to occupy the rich Piedmont Section of South Caro- 
lina, made their way. This long continued moven;ient ulti- 
mately peopled Upper Carolina with that stalwart and 
patriotic population which, through five generations, has 
acted well its part, in war and peace, in Colony and State. 
In personality it was a distinct population, in type and 
thought — plainly different from that which entered the 
State from the sea — these overland settlers were largely of 
what might now be correctly designated as " .Scotch-Irish " 
in race, and of a religious opinion so pronounced as to fulfill 




- 108 

Edmund Burke's description: "Their religion was a refine- 
ment on the principle of resistance ; it was the dissidence of 
dissent — the protestantism of the Protestant Religion !" 
They had crossed the ocean for expanded opportunity : for 
liberty of development, and the chance of a more reward- 
ing work. Their sons after them kept their stern fidelity 
to this moral conviction, and that frugal, hardy, courageous 
temper, which came to them easily, as an ancestral inherit- 
ance. Andrew Pickens was a foremost representative man 
of this people, and his high character and patriotic achieve- 
ments are indelibly inscribed in the annals of Upper South 
Carolina. 

The Calhoun-Pickens, (1752,) and other associated fami- 
lies, crossed the Upper Catawba, on their south-bound 
wagon journey, and traversed South Carolina at its greatest 
breadth, making their homes on the western border, near 
the Savannah River, at Long Cane, in what is now Abbe- 
ville County. A singular coincidence appears in this : after 
nearly two centuries of wanderings, a French Protestant 
Colony, coming in at Charleston, sought homes in this im- 
mediate vicinity, in the then wilderness of South Carolina. 
Andrew Pickens was then a boy of thirteen years of age, 
with no educational advantages, his occupation, hunting, 
farm work and Indian warfare, in which all our early rural 
citizens were trained and toughened for their later life- 
work. Bred on the Indian frontier, his strong character and 
undaunted courage, soon made him a leader of men, and we 
find him, as stated by Lossing, a Colonel at twenty-one 
years of age, in Colonel Grant's expedition against the 
Cherokees. 

When the settlements on Long Cane were broken up and 
almost destroyed by the Cherokees, in 1761, with the dread- 
ful murders there committed, a portion of the fugitives 
took refuge in the Waxhaw Settlement, east of the Ca- 
tawba, in what is now Lancaster County. Ezekiel Calhoun 
escaped thither, bringing with him his interesting family. 
Young Pickens was also there, and became acquainted with 
Miss Rebecca Calhoun, whom he subsequently married, on 
19th March, 1765, at the home of the bride's father, Ezekiel 
Calhoun, at Long Cane, whither the family had returned, 
after the Indian troubles. Tradition says it was the largest 
wedding party ever then assembled in Upper Carolina, and 
the festivities lasted three days without intermission : the 
beauty of the bride was the theme of all tongues, and the 
wedding was long talked of as the important event of the 
neighborhood in that decade. 



109 

During the War of Independence Mrs. Pickens' devotion 
and fidelity to the patriot cause cheered her gallant hus- 
band amidst all difficulties, and made his home ever bright 
and dear, even through the blood and carnage of those ter- 
rible years. It would be pleasant to follow the happy couple 
in their social life, but our purpose is only to recall Andrew 
Pickens, as citizen and soldier, during a long and distin- 
guished career. A recent writer, with graphic pen, says : "A 
beautiful and devoted wife; a cheerful fireside; peace and 
plenty about him — what more could man crave? All this 
he was soon called upon to forego, and take the field, fight- 
ing for what he conceived to be duty and right. In those 
peaceful times: "All good men loved the King: not to do 
so was a crime. He was the embodiment of law and 
order, the centre and source of Government, many a prayer 
was daily wafted skyward, for his weal and guidance : not 
to drink his health was treason. This is a truth to be em- 
phasized, as showing what it then cost loyal men to revolt." 

The country west of Broad River, over to the " Isundega," 
now Savannah River, was prosperous; the people had no 
grievances ; they had been protected always by Royal 
troops, and felt no burdens of taxation. So strong was this 
feeling of loyalty, that many of the leading citizens opposed 
to the end the Whig cause. Forty years ago the late 
Mr. Petigru said what may well be now an accepted opinion : 

"It is not true that the Tories were a horde of ruf^ans. 
They were conservatives, and their error was in carrying to 
excess the sentiment of loyalty which is founded in virtue. 
Their constancy embittered the contest, but did not provoke 
it. Their cause deserved to fail, but their sufferings are 
entitled to respect. Prejudice has blackened their names, 
but history will speak of them as more tenacious than ambi- 
tious, and show towards them the indulgence due to the 
unfortunate." 

As early as the Stamp Act troubles, (1765,) Andrew Pick- 
ens was known as opposed to " taxation without represen- 
tation," and so it ensued that in November, 1775, we find 
him on the patriot side at the first fight at Ninety-Six Fort, 
an event seldom or never mentioned by historians. It oc- 
curred seven months after Lexington and Concord ! Eight 
months before the Declaration of Independence. Andrew 
Pickens had no personal end to serve, nor personal griev- 
ance ; nor had the prosperous region in which he lived, with 
his wife and young children, but the voice of duty called 
him, and at that critical moment he flung his whole influ- 



- 110 

ence into the American cause. He was widely known all 
through the Piedmont Section for his piety and fearless 
bravery, and he turned the tide of public opinion. The 
moment Andrew Pickens took the field Upper South Caro- 
lina declared against George III ! Men everywhere flocked 
to the Patriot standard. His decision cost him much, and 
during seven long years was to cost him more. With In- 
dians hostile in his rear, and British troops and Loyalists in 
front, his family exposed at all times, he went resolutely 
forward, with an approving conscience — the freedom of the 
Colonies his only aspiration. 

What Marion was in the Low Country, Sumter in the 
Middle Country, Andrew Pickens was in the Upper Coun- 
try, and when British troops had possession of the Colony 
from Charleston to the mountains, those three leaders and 
others held the field, the active, irrepressible champions of In- 
dependence, and through their personal influences kept alive 
the spirit of liberty, and their names will forever shine out 
in South Carolina history with an unquenchable lustre. 

The historical writers of the country have been negligent 
of General Pickens' services to the country. It is not pos- 
sible to go into general details, but in connection with the 
Centennial of Cowp"^ '.ch this publication commemo- 

rates, it is in order L^ _,iiOw how great were his services in 
preparation for and in that decisive battle. 

When General Morgan was first detached by General 
Greene for the special duty which culminated at Cowpens, 
his force was limited in numbers, and as soon as a battle 
appeared imminent, reinforcements were imperatively neces- 
sary. To no one more than to Colonel Pickens is the credit 
due for bringing help. He had made efforts, by couriers, 
summoning men for sixty miles around. Colonel Howard, 
of the Maryland Line, says: "Morgan did not decide on 
action until he was joined on the night of i6th January by 
Colonel Pickens and his followers." Among these were 
three companies of Georgians. And adds: "I well remem- 
ber that parties were coming into camp most of the night, 
&c." The general account of the battle is familiar to all 
readers, but it is not generally known that Colonel Pickens 
was next to General Morgan in rank, and commanded in 
person more than half of the troops engaged in that action. 
Early in the fight the victorious British were pressing on, 
when suddenly, says Tarleton, '* my men were seized with 
a sudden panic." It was explainable, by Pickens' and How-, 
ard's^troops pouring a deadly flank and front fire into them, 



Ill 



before which they quailed. As they wavered, Pickens' and 
Howard's troops pressed the fight, and Washington's Cav- 
ahy charged. Pickens and Howard, in person, advanced 
with tlieir troops to finish the fight, and in twenty minutes 
the larger part of the British forces were in possession of 
the Americans. The 71st Regiment exhibited for some 
time a countenance, and maintained their order to the last, 
but when the British Cavalry was put to flight by Colonel 
Washington, and the whole weight of the American Infan- 
try pressed upon them, resistance was vain. They laid 
down their arms, and Colonel Pickens, in person, received the 
sword of McArthur, the Commander of the 71st Regiment. 
Lossing, in his Field Book of the Revolution, in his ac- 
count of Cowpens, gives portraits of Morgan, Howard and 
Washington, and pictures of their medals and inscriptions, 
but no portrait of Pickens and picture 
of his sword is there published. In scan- 
ning Lossing's Index not a tithe of his 
military services are recorded. The Com- 
mittee has esteemed it an honor to pre- 
sent a good likeness of General Pickens, 
and for the first, time publish an accurate 
picture of th ' ''ot^ejd by Congress,'^' 

which was worn u_^ iiis great grandson, 
Colonel S. B. Pickens, on the military 
parade at the centennial. It was photo- 
graphed from the original, now in the 
keeping of Mrs. Governor F. W. Pickens, 
a widow of a grandson of the General. 
General Pickens never drew a cent of 
pay for his Revolutionary services, as 
the pay-rolls in the Comptroller's office 
will prove. Love of country was re- 
ward enough for him. Plis was a lofty 
patriotism. After the war he held the 
first County Court that sat under the 
new laws, near Abbeville Court House, 
and his son, afterwards Governor An- 
drew Pickens (1816-18) then a 5oy five 
years old, drew the first jury. He ran 
the line between North Carolina and 
Tennessee ; was also appointed to make the treaty of Mil- 
ledgeville, likewise at Natchez, and indeed almost all the 
treaties made with the Southern Indians. Peace being 




17th." 



Congress to Colonel Pickens, March 9th, 17S1 — Cowpens, January 



1!'2 

restored, the voice of his country called him to serve her in 
various capacities. He was a member of the Legislature, 
and afterwards of the Convention which formed the State 
Constitution ; was elected a member under the new Con- 
stitution, until 1794, when he became a member of Congress, 
which then sat in Philadelphia. At that time there were 
neither railroads nor stage coaches — all travel was done on 
horse-back. Picture to yourself a man who was approach- 
ing his three score years, of martial figure and dignified 
demeanor, mounted on a spirited milk white Andalusian 
steed, whip in hand, and holsters filled with a brace of pis- 
tols, the silver mounting of which glittered in the sunlight ; 
a three-cornered hat, from beneath the silvery gray hair, 
put smoothly back, and tied in a que, an undress military 
coat, ruffled shirt, fair top boots, with handsome silver 
spurs; following at a little distance, on a stout draft horse, 
is his African attendant, Pompey, in livery of blue, with 
scarlet facings, carrying a portmanteau, with a consequen- 
tial and dignified air, showing in every movement the pride 
of a body-servant to his revered master. Paint this in your 
mind's eye, and you have before you a gentleman of the 
Eighteenth Century, with his servant, on his way to Con- 
gress ; such was General Andrew Pickens, as he passed 
through to Philadelphia in 1794. Declining a re-election to 
Congress, he was again returned a member to the Legisla- 
ture, in which he continued until 181 1. In 1794, determine 
ing to enjoy that serenity and tranquility which he had so 
greatly contributed in establishing, he retired from the busy 
scenes of life to his mountain home, " Tomassee." At this 
place, in 1779, he fought the most desperate battle he ever 
engaged in, with the Cherokees. But so completely sub- 
dued were they, and under his control, at this time, it was a 
safe and delightful retreat. The hidians, in their devotion 
to him, called him the Great Sky Augusta, and would bring 
their first offerings to him, adorned in the highest style of 
Lidian costume. This place was peculiarly interesting to 
him ; he devoted himself to domestic pleasures and pur- 
suits, revered and beloved by all. His hospitable home, 
though remote from the more frequented parts of the 
State, was still the resort of numerous friends, relatives and 
guests, from a distance. Such was the gentle current of 
his later years; still of earthly objects his country was 
prominent in his affections. He viewed with great interest 
the struggle of 1812-15, and the causes which produced it, 
distinctly perceiving that in its consequences, the prosperity. 



113 

independence and glory of his country were deeply in- 
volved ; he was alive to its various incidents. In this hour 
of danger, the eyes of his fellow-citizens were again turned 
to their tried servant. Without his knowledge he was again 
called by their spontaneous voice into public service. Con- 
fidence thus expressed could not be disregarded. He ac- 
cepted a seat in the Legislature in 1812, and was pressed 
to serve as Governor, at this eventful crisis, which he de- 
clined. He thought such high duties should be left to more 
youthful hands. His wife. Miss Rebecca Calhoun, was one 
of the most gifted and educated ladies of her (lay, and a 
patriotic daughter of Revolutionary fame. She was born 
November 18th, 1745, and died December 19th, 18 14. They 
left five daughters and three sons. Of the character of 
General Andrew Pickens little need be said, for among its 
strongest feature, were simplicity, without contrariety or 
change ; from youth to age he was ever noted for a punc- 
tual performance of all the duties of life. He was from 
early life a firm believer in the Christian religion, and an 
influential member of the Presbyterian Church. Strong 
points of his character were decision and prudence, accom- 
panied, especially in youth, with remarkable taciturnity. 
He was of middle stature, active and robust, and enjoyed in 
consequence of the natural strength of his constitution and 
his temperate and active life, almost uninterrupted health 
to the last moments of his life. He retained much of his 
strength and nearly all his mental vigor in perfection, and 
died not in consequence of the exhaustion of nature, or 
previous sickness, for the stroke of death fell suddenly, and 
while his personal acquaintances were anticipating the addi- 
tion of many years to his life. He died August nth, 1817, 
at his mountain home, Tomassee. He lies in the ceme- 
tery of the historic Old Stone Church, of which he was one 
of the founders. It was there, war worn patriots met to 
worship, at their " Bethel," after the din of war and the 
fierce struggle was over, and their efforts blessed by victory. 
There with hearts filled with gratitude and praise, their 
" aspirations winged their upward flight to the Throne of 
the Living God." 

A simple tombstone in the Cemetery of the Old Stone 
Church, on the road between Pendleton and Fort Hill, bears 
this simple inscription : " General Andrew Pickens was born 
13th September, 1739, and died i ith August, 1817. He was 
a Christian, a Patriot and Soldier. His character and actions 
are incorporated with the history of his country. Filial 
affection and respect raises this stone to his memory." 



114 




General John Eager Howard 

was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, on 4th June, 
1752. When the war begun he entered the service as 
Captain of one of the bodies of militia termed " Flying 
^„ Camps." He was in action 

at the battle near White 
Plains, N. Y. These corps 
were mustered out of ser- 
vice later, and he accepted 
a commission as Major in 
one of the Continental Bat- 
talions of Maryland. In 
the Spring of 1 777 he re- 
ported for duty with his 
command to Gen'l Wash- 
ington, in New Jersey. He 
was distinguished for cour- 
age and coolness at the 
Battle of Germantown, of 
which engagement he 
wrote a very interesting ac- 
count. Major Howard was 
at the Battle of Monmouth, in 1778. On ist June, 1779, he 
was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the 5th Maryland 
Regiment, "to take rank from the I ith May, 1778." In 
1780 he was assigned to the Southern Department, and 
served with great distinction under Generals Gates and 
Greene. Towards the close of 1780 he was assigned, with 
his troops to General Morgan's separate command, and 
greatly distinguished himself, winning bright laurels at the 
Battle of Cowpens, Guilford Court House, and the other 
battles of 1781. Lieutenant-Colonel Lee, in his memoirs, 
says : 

" We have seen him at the Battle of Cowpens seize the 
critical moment, and turn the fortune of the day ; alike con- 
spicuous, though not alike successful, at Guilford and the 
Eutaws; and at all times, and on all occasions, eminently 
useful. He was justly ranked among the chosen sons of 
the South. Trained to infantry service, he was invariably 
employed in that line, and was always to be found where 
the battle raged, pressing into close action to v.'restle with 
fixed bayonets." 

For his skill and bravery, on 17th January 1781, Con- 
gress voted him a silver medal, both sides of which are here 
presented : 



115 




The legends translated are : " The American Congress to 
John Eager Howard, Commander of a Regiment of Infan- 
try." " Because, rushing suddenly on tlie wavering line of 
the foe, he gave a brilliant specimen of martial courage at 
the Battle of the Cowpens, January 17th, 1781." 

In the severe engagement at Guilford Court House he 
again distinguished himself and was wounded. In Novem- 
ber, 1788, he was elected Governor of Maryland, and re- 
mained in ofifice three years. He was commissioned Major- 
General of Militia in 1794, but declined the honor. President 
Washington invited him to a seat in his Cabinet, as Secre- 
tary of War, in 1795, but he declined this honor. He served 
in the Senate of Maryland, and in 1796 was elected to the 
Senate of the United States, where he served until 1803, 
when he retired from public life. When, in 18 14, Baltimore 
was threatened, General Howard prepared to take the field. 
After the disasters in Washington, when the City of Balti- 
more was threatened, it was suggested as the best course 
for the city to capitulate. He indignantly opposed the very 
mention of the proposition, declaring that though the bulk 
of his property was at stake, and he had four sons in the 
field, he would rather behold his property reduced to ashes, 
and his sons weltering in their blood, than sanction the 
adoption of a measure disgraceful to the honor and charac- 
ter of his country. 

General Howard died on the 12th October, 1827, aged 75 
years. The highest honors of State and country, ample 
means, and the ardent love of friends, were his lot in life, 
and few citizens of the Union ever went to the grave more 
truly and universally lamented. 

General Howard was highly esteemed in South Carolina, 
and at the Session of the General Assembly of the State, 



116 

January, 1828, Representative Davis, of Abbeville, intro- 
duced an eloquent preamble and resolutions, which were 
unanimously adopted : 

"Amongst the master-spirits who battled for Independ- 
ence we are to remember with veneration the late patriotic 
and venerable Colonel John Eager Howard. His illustrious 
name is to be found in the history of his country's suffer- 
ings, and the annals of his country's triumphs. In the day 
of peril and of doubt, when the result was hid in clouds, 
when danger was everywhere, and when death mingled in 
the conflict of the warrior, Howard still clung to the for- 
tunes of the struggling Republic. * ''• '^ 
He was his country's common friend, and his country owes 
him one common unextinguishable debt of gratitude; 
South Carolina, with whose history his name is identified, 
is proud to acknowledge her obligation. ''• '^ '"' 

Resolved, tJierefore, That it was with feelings of profound 
sorrow and regret that South Carolina received the melan- 
choly intelligence of the death of Colonel John Eager 
Howard, of Maryland. 

Resolved, That the State of South Carolina can never 
forget the distinguished services of the deceased. 

Resolved, That the Governor be requested to transmit a 
copy of these proceedings to the Governor of Maryland 
and to the family of the late Colonel Howard. 

The distinguished citizen and soldier is buried in the 
family vault, in the Cemetery of St. Paul's Church, Balti- 
more. There is no epitaph — the family name, HOWARD, is 
inscribed over the entrance. 

Colonel William Washington, 

who has been worthily styled "The Modern Marcellus — The 
Sword of His Country" — was the eldest son of Bailey 
Washington, of Stafford County, Va., Avhere he was born, 
on the 28th of February, 1752. He receiveci a classical 
education, in preparation for the Church, to which he was, 
in his youth, inclined, but the excited condition of public 
affairs led him into the military services of the Colonies. 
He early espoused the patriot cause, and entered the Amer- 
ican Army under Colonel Hugh Mercer, as Captain of In- 
fantry. He was in the Battle of Long Island, distinguished 
himself at Trenton, and was with his beloved General when 
he fell at Princeton. He served as Major in Colonel Baylor's 



il7 



Corps of Cavalry, and was in the engagement witli that 
officer at Tappan, 177H; the following year he was assigned 
to the Army under Lincoln, in Soulli ("arolina, and was 

there very active in the 
cavalry arm of the ser- 
vice. After the fall of 
Charleston he was trans- 
ferred to the upper ])art 
of the State. When a 
division of troops were 
detaclied on s[)(;cial ser- 
vice, under Gen"] l)aniel 
Morgan, in the latter 
v'n l^'i'"'- <d' 1 7<So, Colonel 
J|||i\Y^i\Vt\ Washington's C a v a 1 r y 
formed part of the col- 
umn. His opportunity 
came at "The Cowpens," 
where he greatly distin- 
guished himself by liis 
impetuous and victorious 
he struck the Ihitish horsemen, double in number 
to his own force, a very decisive blow, and drove them in 
complete rout before him. h'or his valor and great achiev- 
ment on this decisive occasion, Congress unanimously voted 
him a silver mecial, which is here shown : 




chan 




The legends translated are: "The American Congress to 
William Washington, Commander of a Regiment of Cav- 
alry." " J^ecause having vigor(nisly pursued tl'ie foe, with a 
small band of soldiers, he gave a brilliant specimen of innate 
valor, ill the Battle of Cowpens, 17th January, 1781." 



118 

From the Cowpens he was most active in the masterly 
retreat of General Morgan into North Carolina, encumbered, 
as he was, with hundreds of prisoners: with CornwalHs, 
having burnt his baggage, in hot pursuit, to prevent the 
union of forces with General Greene, in which effort Corn- 
walHs signall}/ failed. Colonel Washington fought bravely 
at Guilford, in March ; in April he was in the fight at Hob- 
kirk's Hill, and despite the unfortunate outcome of that 
engagement, his cavalry was conspicuously successful, and 
he actually brought off his prisoners despite the disabilities 
of that unfortunate field. 

In September he was at Eutaw Springs. In attempting 
to execute, with his usual impetuosity, an almost impossi- 
ble order, his horse was killed under him, and he fell in the 
midst of the British Infantry, very severely wounded, and 
would there have lost his life but for the generosity of 
Major Majoribanks,''- of the British Army, who interfered 
and saved his life. He was made a prisoner, paroled, and 
permitted to proceed to Charleston by his captors. There 
he remained until the close of the war, his every effort to 
secure an exchange having been refused. 

It is unnecessary to go further into details of the life of 
this distinguished cavalry leader. His achievements are 
inscribed in the history of the American Union, and too 
well known to be repeated in this brief record. 

It is proper here to mention, however, that Colonel Wash- 
ington was elected to the Legislature, and served there con- 
tinuously for some years; he was tendered a unanimous 
nomination as Governor, but declined on the ground that 
he was only recently a resident of the State, and did not 
desire the executive office, preferring the more congenial 
life of a planter. When his kinsman was recalled by Presi- 
dent Adams to the command of the army, in the threatened 
war with France, he appointed William Washington a 
Brigadier-General in the United States Army. 

Colonel Washington died on the 6th March, 1810. He 
was tall and majestic in person, exhibiting a manly figure, 
with every indication of superior strength and correspond- 
ing activity. His countenance was composed, and rather of 
a serious cast, but evinced the benevolence that character- 



""After the Battle of Eutaw Springs this cliivalrous officer died of 
disease, and was buried on the plantation of Daniel Ravenel, in St. 
John's Berkeley. The following inscription is on his tomb: "John 
JVTajoribanks, Esquire, late Major in the 19th Regiment Infantry, and 
commanding a flank Battalion of His Majesty's Army, Obit 22A Octo- 
ber, 1781." 



no 

ized all his actions. In social life he was retiring and 
taciturn. 

The relations of Colonel and Mrs. William Washington 
to the Washington Light Infantry of Charleston, and in 
fact to the Centennial Memorial of Cowpens, which is to 
be commemorated in this voluine, should have place here, 
and is best told in the following narrative: 

BATTLE-FLAC; OF COLONEL WILLIAM WASLIINGTON'S CAV- 
ALRY, ARMY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, COM- 
MONLY KNOWN AS THE " EUTAW FLAG," TARLETON's 
TERROR." 

On a bluff or hill above a stream leading into Stono River, 
South Carolina, known as Hyde Park or Elliott's Savanna, 
about seven miles from Rantowle's Ferry, stood in the 
1776-83 period the statel}' mansion of Charles Elliott. The 
plantation embraced a large body of land of many thousand 
acres. Here lived Miss Jane Elliott ; here was improvised 
a crimson flag that waved in victory in the War for Ameri- 
can Independence. This plantation was known as " Sandy 
Hill." On a neighboring plantation, known as " Live Oak," 
was the Elliott famil}^ cemetery, and within its borders lie 
the mortal remains of Colonel William Washington and his 
wife, the spot being marked only by a slab of marble, with 
this inscription : " My parents, dear, lie here. J. A." 

This marble, with its simple epitaph, was erected by the 
only daughter, Mrs. Jane Ancrum, who survived until 1866. 
Colonel William Washington had come to Carolina from Vir- 
ginia with a cavalry force, and served witli great distinction 
through the war in this State. He was a visitor, as oppor- 
tunity offered, at "Sandy Hill." On a hurried visit there 
during the storm of war, the want of a flag for his cavalry 
was mentioned. From a heavy crimson silk curtain, with 
handsome silk fringe, the nimble scissors cut a square, the 
ready needle bound its edge, and a hickory pole served as a 
staff. " Here is your flag, Colonel," said Jane Elliott. 

"LOVE RULES TFIE COURT, THE CAMP, THE GROVE." 

About the close of the war Miss Elliott married Colonel 
Washington. Nearly a half century later Mrs. Washington 
determined to give the custody of her late husband's battle- 
flag, to one of the military companies of Charleston. Her 
choice was the Washington Light Infantry, Captain Robert 



]20 



Rudd Gilchrist commanding. The ceremony took place in 
front of her house, at the northwest corner of South Bay and 
Church Streets, Charleston. This house, over a century old, 
still stands. The late Henry S. Tew, of Mt. Pleasant, Christ 
Church Parish, South Carolina, was the Color-Sergeant who 
first bore the flag in,^the ranks of the Washington Light 
Infantry. This distinguished corps has been its custodian 
since the 19th of April. 1827. Mrs. Washington, in present- 
ing the crimson relic, referred to the corps as "a band of 
citizen soldiers, who would on no occasion suffer its honor 
or lustre to tarnish," and the corps made the pledge "to 
consider it more precious than their lives; as dear as their 
sacred honor." 



Poem by THEODORE L. SMITH, 



Music by M. S. REEVES. 



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the glo - rious standard Which at Eutaw shone so bright, And as a dazzling 

2. In the strug-gle for our freedom,When the boldest stood in dread, Our Wash-ing-ton was 

3. British skill and Brit - ish val-or Could not stay his onward course, Nor fierce Tarleton, with his 




After fifty years of use it was found necessary, in 1876, to 
repair and strengthen the flag. It was, therefore, placed in 
the hands of Major Robert C. Gilchrist, then the com- 



121 



mander of the corps; and a curious incident should be re- 
corded of this restoration. It was found that the most 
efTective way to preserve the flag was to quilt it on to a 
piece of crimson silk. Mr. George F. Babbage, an English- 
man in the dry goods business in Charleston, was consulted ; 



meteor swept, Thro' tlieCowpen's deadly fight, 
fore - most, With this banner o'er his liead ; 
vet' - rana With-stand his Pat - riot force ; 



And as a dazz-ling meteor swept, Thro' the 

Our Wash - ing-ton was fore-most, Witli this 

Nor fierce Tarleton, witli his vet'-rans, With - 




pu^r^ i r ^^ 



m^Mkm 



Cow - pen's dearl-Iy 
ban - ner o'er his 
stand his Patriot 



fight 

head ; 
force ; 



Sound.sound our live ly bugles, Let them pour their loudest 

And where the fight was fiercest, And carnage raged the 

Where gleam'd his trust - y battle blade, This banner waved on 




blast, 
most, 
high. 



Whilst we pledge both life and honor To standby it to the 

As a bea - con liglit this banner Marl<'d the Hero at his 

The thun - der of hiscbargewasheard, Re -e-cho-ing to the 




he asked to see the flag, and when it was brought to him 
he exhibited a piece of crimson silk resembling closely the 
original flag, and said : '• I brought that remnant of silk 
from England a great many years ago, and I know of no 
better use to put it to than to restore this historic flag." 



122 

This was done, and the flag is good for a hundred years to 
come, with one side fresh and bright, and the other faded 
and worn. A noteworthy coincidence is that the father re- 
ceived the flag, and a half century later the son, also a 
commander, had it repaired and preserved. 




±=^ 



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standby it to the last. ' Whilst we pledge onr life and hon-jr, To stand by it to the last. 



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Sound, sound oar lively 


bugles, 


Let them pour their loud.est blast, 


■vrni 


3C ire pledge both life and 
























































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Sonnd. sound our lively 


bugles, 


Let thetrrpour their Inud^est blast, 


TVtikt we pledge botii life and 




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Orderly Sergeant Theodore L. Smith, some years afterf 
the reception of the flag, wrote the " Banner Song." This 
was set to music by the late Professor M. S. Reeves, an Eng- 
lish gentleman then prominently identified with the musical 
circles of Charleston. 



123 



This historic flag, a picture of which forms the frontis- 
piece of this volume, was at "Cowpens," "Guilford," "Hob- 
kirk fTill," ' Eutaw Springs," and in numerous smaller com- 
bats, and is preserved to this day. 



; » 9' 9 



M^-sb-a >-r-^ T^ ^ 



Ttii~sr 



t=t 



honor, To ctanJ by it lo the last. "Whilst we pledge both life and honor, To stand by it to the last. 



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iri 






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honor, To stand by it to the last Whilst we pledge both life and honor, To stand by it to the last. 




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J 7 

This precious relic of the War of Independence is kept in 
a case and deposited in a bank vault for safe keeping. It is 
displayed annually on the 22d of February, " Washington's 
Birthday," but otherwise only on high public occasions, and 
is the only Revolution Flag from active service in that war, 
in active use by any military command in the United 
States. 



124 
The Washington Light infantry 

was tounded in 1807. When the news reached Charleston, 
South Carolina, that Her Majesty's Ship Leopard had fired 
into the United States Ship Chesapeake, off the Capes of 
Virginia, the young men of the City and State formed them- 
selves promptly into numerous military commands. The 
"W. L. I." was commissioned ; William Lowndes, states- 
man, jurist, orator, and the author of the high sentiment 
"the Presidency is an office to be neither sought nor de- 
clined," then on the threshold of his distinguished life, pre- 
sided at the first meeting, and was elected Captain ; George 
Warren Cross, First Lieutenant; and William Crafts, Jr., 
Ensign. An enthusiastic member exclaimed : "Remember 
the Leopard !'' and a trimming of leopard skin has been worn 
on the company hat ever since. 

The corps was named in honor of George Washington, 
and his birthday, February 22d, has been since celebrated 
annually by public observances. It commemorates its 
90th anniversary in 1897. and is the sole survivor in South 
Carolina of the patriotic impulses which were aroused when 
the "signal guns" of the second war with England re- 
sounded through the country in 1807. The " W. L. L" is 
thus identified with two Washingtons ; it bears the name 
of one and carries the battle-flag of the other, ''Esto Per- 
pctiia .^" 

Upon the occasion of the semi-centennial celebration of 
the Washington Light Infantry, 22d February, 1857, Gov- 
ernor R. F. W. Alston, in response to a complimentary 
toast, expressed his sense of the privileges of the day, and 
his gratification at the opportunity of honoring it with a 
corps so justly renowned for patriotic ardor and military 
spirit. He referred to the character and services of Colonel 
William Washington, and gave instances of his impetuous 
daring and strategic invention. He proposed : " The mem- 
ory of Colonel William Washington." Ex-Captain Henry 
Ravenel responded, and described happily and tenderly the 
relations and memories that attached the W. L. I. to the 
name of William Washington. He spoke of the graves 
where, side by side, in a quiet rural rest, reposed the remains 
of William Washington and his noble wife. He suggested 
that it was not merely the privilege, but the duty of the 
corps, to ask permission to rear a suitable memorial. The 
corps at once responded in enthusiastic and expressive 
affirmation. 



125 

In executing this purpose it was found impossible to carry 
out the original purpose, at the graves, for want of space. 
It was finally determined to erect the memorial in Magnolia 
Cemetery, near Charleston. 

The ceremonies were appointed for the 5th May, 1858, 
and presided over by Captain C. H. Simonton, commanding 
W. L. I. Hon. William Porcher Miles had been unani- 
mously elected orator of the day, and left his seat in Con- 
gress to be present on the occasion. 

The parade of escort v.as commanded by Colonel James 
Simons, (a son of Cornet Simons, of Colonel William Wash- 
ington's Cavalry,) 1st Regiment Artillery, 4th Brigade S. 
C. M, with Major F. W. Capers, of the Citadel Academy, 
and Major Edward McCrady, Jr., of the Rifle Battalion, 
associated in the command, which consisted of the follow- 
ing companies : 

German Artillery — Captain John A. Wagener. 
Citadel Cadets — Lieutenant J. B White. 
Charleston Riflemen- — Captain Jos Johnson. 
Moultrie Guards — Captain Allan Hanckel. 
Palmetto Guard — Captain J. J. Lucas. 
German Riflemen — Captain Jacob Small. 
Meagher Guards — Captain Jas. Lowndes. 
Lieutenant W. Silvey, U. S. A., Adjutant. 

There were present on the stand Hon. Charles Macbeth, 
Mayor, and the Aldermen of the City; the officers of the 
United States Army and Navy ; the officers and members 
of the State Society of the Cincinnati ; '^6 Association ; 
and South Carolina Histoiical Society; the venerable and 
esteemed Ex-Governors Thomas Bennett and John P. 
Richardson were also honored guests on the occasion. 

The Right Rev. Thomas F. Davis, Bishop of South Caro- 
lina, officiated as Chaplain of the day. 

A patriotic ode, written expressly for this occasion by 
Professor Samuel Henry Dickson, M. D., was then pro- 
nounced by Dr. P. G. Robinson. This was followed by the 
eloquent oration of Hon. William Porcher Miles. Want of 
space prevents the Committee from republishing here the 
ode and address which so fully honored that occasion. 




View of the Memorial Erected in Magnolia Cemetery in Honor of 

WILLIAM AND JANE WASHINGTON, 

By 

The Washington Light Infantry, 



127 



Tlie monument is shown in the picture: it is of white 
marble, from a design furnished by Colonel Ed. B. White, 
Architect, about seventeen feet high. The handsome 
wrought iron railing, which encloses the lot, was erected 
to the order of the State Society of the Cincinnati of South 
Carolina, under the direction of Colonel James Simons, who 
took an active interest in this patriotic work; the gate- 
posts are made of two bronze cannon of Revolutionary 
record ; the crossed sabres are also of that war period — as 
a whole this memorial is handsome in design and imposing 
in appearance, and bears the following inscriptions on its 
four faces : 

[west face.] 




This Memorial Dedicated 
(311 5th May, 185S, 

Has been erected under a Resolution of the 

Company, adopted unanimously at their 

Semi- Centennial Anniversary, 

in 1857. 



[sub-base.] 
TRENTON. 



[north face.] 
WILLIAM WASHINGTON. 

A Native of Virginia, 

Lieutenant-Colonel of Cavalry in the Revolutionary Army 

of the United .States. 

Born 2Sth February, 1752. 

Died Gth March, iSio. 



[sub-base.] 
C O W P E N S . 



128 

[east face.] 

The Remains of 

Lieut. Col. WM. WASHINGTON, 
And of Mrs. JANE WASHINGTON, 

Repose in the secluded Burial Ground of her Family, 

near Rantowl's Bridge, in the 

Parish of St. Paul. 

The Washington Light Infantry of Charleston, So. Ca., 

the Honored Guardians of the Standard of 

Col. Washington's Regiment, 

Received from the hands of his Widow, on igth April, 

1827, Consecrate to the memory of both, 

this Monument, a grateful offering 

to Heroic Valour, Patriotic 

Virtue, and Modest 

Worth. 



[SUB-BASE.] 

HOB KIRK'S HILL, 



[south FACE.] 

JANE WASHINGTON, 

A Native of South Carolina, 

Daughter of Charles Elliott, 

And Wife of 

Lieut. Col. William Washington. 

Born 14th March, 1763. 

Died 14th December, 1S30. 



[sub-base.] 
EUTAW SPRINGS. 

"Jane Washington Day," 19th April, 1877. 

On the semi-centennial of the custody of Colonel Wash- 
ington's Battle-Flag the W. L. I. made it a gala occasion. 
The Company had as their chief guest Governor Hampton, 
who had then been recently recognized as Governor of the 
State, and which ended carpet-bag rule in South Carolina. 
There was a grand parade of the uniformed Rifle Clubs; 
public ceremonies at the Academy of Music, including 
many eloquent addresses. The old corps has always hon- 
ored the memories of William and Jane Washington, and 
as is well known, is still — " on guard !" 



129 

The Genealogy of William Washington. 

In the Magazine of American History IXth Volume, 
February, 1883, there is contributed a biography of this 
distinguished Virginian. 

In it appears very conspicuously three surprising state- 
ments : 

1. " His name has become so entirely identified with the 
history of South Carolina that it is scarcely known that he 
was born in Virginia." 

2. "We cannot trace his genealogy beyond his father." 

3. " His correspondence with General George Washing- 
ton gives no evidence of the relationship supposed to exist 
between them." 

In brief reply to the first allegation, it is an historical fact 
that William Washington took the field at the very begin- 
ning of the War of Independence, and from the Hackensack 
River, New Jersey, to the Savannah River, Georgia, he was 
foremost in the defense of a common country, and his 
achievements and fame are part of a common heritage for 
all the States. It is much to be regretted that this infor- 
mation is not generally known in Virginia, as has been 
alleged. 

As the family records are preserved in Charleston, S. C, 
the Committee made request of Captain Henry A. DeSaus- 
sure, (whose information and experience in such matters 
was an assurance of accuracy,) to prepare a chart, showing 
the Washington family from the emigrant, John Washington, 
to the close of the XVIIIth Century. This public-spirited 
citizen, having access to all the family papers, has done 
this in a highly satisfactory manner, and the Committee 
desire to record their thanks and appreciation for his pains- 
taking and unremunerated services. It thus appears that 
William Washington's ancestors are v/ell known and of 
record, " beyond his father." As it is a matter of general 
public information that President George Washington, in 
his own diary, has referred to William Washington as his 
KINSMAN, this family tree only systematizes the family 
recotd. With this complete testimony tJie ijiatter rests. 




Gbnkalocy op thk Washii 

The Statements on this Tree and its Genealogy 

1. Papers by Mr. Worthington C. Ford, of Brooklyn, 
N. Y., published in New York Evening Post, 17th No- 
vember, 1892, and in the Nation, 22d December, uS(j2, 
both devoted chiefly to connection between the English 
and American family of Washington, in which are refer- 
ences to wills. 

One will, that of Martha Hayward, fiih on tree, gives 
information — by devises, legacies, &c., to relatives — of 
the family in Virginia. 

2, 3. Only from Ford articles. 
4. 5. Authorities are practically unanimous as to date 

of their immigration and settlement in Westmoreland 
County, \'a. 

4. Styled "Colonel" in Irving's Life of Washington, 
Vol. 1; Lossing's Field Book of the Revolution, Vol. 2; 
Draft Chart in Miss Washington's possession. Irving, 
Lossing, Conway Chart, and Miss Washington's Chart, 
give wife as Ann Pope. 

Death Miss Washington's Chart. 

Ford article says his will provided for expense of his 
sister, Martha, 6 on tree, coming to America, date of 
will not stated, but alluded to as well known document. 

5. Name given as Laurence by Lossing, Ford, Conway 
and Hayden; his wife's name only on Hayden and Con- 
way Chart — Mr. Courtenay's copies. 

Irving erroneously says his name was "Andrew." 

6. Ford's articles, her' will, says of Stafford County, 
dated 6th May, 1697; proved Sth September, 1697. Leg- 
acies and devises as hereafter noticed. 

7. Name, Encylopa-dia Britannica; Lossing.Miss Wash- 
ington's Chart, Conway Chart. Miss Washington's 
Chart says he owned land in Stafford and Westmoreland 
Counties; that his will bears date nth March, 1698; that 
he married Mildred Warner. Lossing and Conway 
Chart, same name for wife. 

7. Will of 6 gives legacies to John and Augustine, 
sons of my cousin, Lawrence Washington, of West- 
moreland: 7, the only "Lawrence, of Westmoreland," 
known to have sons', John and Augustine. Captain 
Lawrence, one of her three residuary legatees and devi- 
sees, "the aforesaid Lawrence," made one of her two ex- 
ecutors. Only one other Lawrence named in will, viz; 
Lawrence.son of Mr.John Washington.of Westmoreland. 

Cousin formerly used to denote kinsman. 

8. Name and brother i>f 7. Lossing. Miss WashinK- 
ton's Chan. Trom tliis.ilso l.irtli. marriace ;ind dau- of 
will, Tl.;- ,1,..,. in. I,;-..,:,. ,.,,„. :-,.f ■ : , r f", v i ■ . . . ■ . \-. 



<t;TON Family from 1657. 

rest on the following authority : 

Washington, of Westmoreland, widow of Captain John 

Washington, to Caleb Butler, relative to lands in \ irgi- 

nia and ^Maryland, dated 28th March, 169S. 

He may have married twice; he did marry Ann Butler. 

Will of 6 gives legacies to John, Lawrence, Nathaniel 
and Henry, sons of Mr. John Washington, of Westmore- 
land. 8 only John then living and known to have four 
sons so named. Mr. John Washington, of Westmore- 
land, one of 6's three residuary legatees and devisees, 
and one of her two executors. 

In article 17th November. 1892, Mr. Ford says, the 
will of Martha Hayward gives information of a new 
family on the Westmoreland side, of which nothing had 
been known, viz; John, of Westmoreland. Emigrant 
John had two sons, Lawrence and John. George, the 
President, came from Lawrence, " but of the second son 
" nothing was known, except a rough note on the Heard 
" Table," "from whom are descended Henry of Cbotank 
" and John of Machotank," " Mrs. Hay ward's will gives 
" names of four sons of this John, viz; Lawrence, John, 
" Nathaniel and Henry. • * * What more probable 
" than that will of Henry Washington, of Stafford 
"County, executed in 1747. was will of this (Henry) son 
"of John?" Horace Edwin Hayden, who first printed 
this will, believed this Henry belonged to the line of the 
emigrant, Lawrence. Ford thinks Mrs. Hay ward's will 
proves Henry, of Chotank, to be of the line of John 2d, 
son of emigrant John. 

Mr. Ford's article then contains a chart according to 
above, with Henry as grandson of emigrant John. 

10, II, 12, 17-25. The descent of George (21) from 
Lawrence (7) is clear. Irving, Lossing. LncyclojKedia 
Britannica, and authority will not be referred to. 

13. 14, 15, 16. Miss Washington's Chart. 

16. Will dated 2d February. I74;-S; proved Sth No- 
vember. 174S. Miss Washington's Chart, names 27 and 
28 as minor sons; a minor grandson. Lawrence, to whom 
he devises Mattox. Miss Washington has copy of the 
will. 

2(>. 27. 2S. Miss Washington's Chart. Will of 16. Hay- 
den Chart, wife of 2S. name same on both. Hayden and 
Conway Charts give a,-* as father of 2c). 

29. Miss Washington's Chart. Hayden and Conway 
Charts give same name for wife. 

Their tombstone is in Washington Burial Ground. 
near Rantowles. So. Ca. It gives no dates, but death 



130 

Major James Simons 

had a genius as well as predilection for military mat- 
ters. Of his early exercises and incidents in arms very 
little is known, but there is reason to believe that he 
attached himself to Count Pulaski on his arrival in May, 
1779, became his aide, and was present with him in his 
various expeditions until the disastrous siege of Savannah. 
After this Mr. Simons took a Lieutenant's com.mission in 
Colonel Wilham Washington's Corps of Cavalry, and con- 
tinued in all its active duties and dangers to the close of the 
Revolution. 

About the 14th of January, 1781, when under the com- 
mand of General Morgan, Lieutenant Simons was detached 
with a part of the Cavalry and a number of the Continental 
Militia, against a body of Tories at Hammond's Store, on 
Bush River, a branch of the Pacolet. When they came in 
sight of the store the Tories were formed in a line on the 
brow of a hill. The Americans immediately formed and 
charged down the opposite hill with such impetuosity, that 
the Tories broke and fled without firing a gun. Lieutenant 
Simons there ascertained that Tarleton was advancing to 
cross the Pacolet, above Morgan, for the purpose of attack- 
ing the rear of his position. Having destroyed the Tory 
rendezvous at Hammond's, Lieutenant Simons hastened to 
rejoin Morgan with the important information, and reached 
his camp in the night. Morgan availed himself of this 
notice, marched northwardly on the i6th of January, then 
encamped and announced his intention to fight Tarleton on 
the following day. Simons shared with Washington's Cav- 
alry all the dangers of the important victory of Morgan at 
the Cowpens. 

He was Adjutant to Washington's Regiment from the 
2d of June. 178 1, to the 26th of December following. He 
was also Brigade-Major from the 27th of December, 1781, to 
the 30th of June, 1782. This last commission he preferred 
to the appellation of "Colonel," which had not, like that of 
Major, been acquired in the field, but granted by Congress 
to him in common with all Continental officers as a brevet 
of one grade. 

Li the daring charge made by Colonel Washington, at 
Eutaw, on the Lifantry of Major Majoribanks, Major 
Simons received two severe wounds, and his horse, having 
been shot by the same discharge, fell upon him. The Brit- 
ish Infantry advanced upon him, and he expected that the 



131 

next moment he would be killed ; but his horse, roused by 
the gleam of arms and array of steel flashing before him, or 
more probably by the well-known call of his own bugle 
sounding the retreat, made a sudden effort to get up, and 
rose with Lieutenant Simons clinging to his neck, and did 
succeed in bearing him off in that way until they reached 
his comrades, when the horse again fell down and died. 
Lieutenant Simons was taken up by his own men, cared for 
and recovered. 

At the battle of Cowpens, Major Simons was the only 
South Carolinian who held a Continental commission in the 
line, and he commanded the Left Division of the Cavalry in 
that action. Until the capture of Tarleton's baggage on 
that occasion James Simons had not for months seen can- 
dles, coffee, tea, sugar, pepper or vinegar. The canopy of 
heaven was his tent, and a great coat his only covering. 

Major James Simons first married Miss Dewar, and had 
two sons, the Rev. James D. Simons, at St. Philip's Parish, 
Charleston, S. C, and Professor Charles D. Simons, of the 
South Carolina College. He next married Miss Hyrne, sister 
of Major Hyrne, whose name is frequently spoken of with 
distinction in the Southern warfare. On the early death of 
this amiable lady Major Simons married the eldest daughter 
of Dr. Tucker Harris and left several children, among whom 
was the late General James Simons, of Charleston, the 
father of Captain James Simons, a prominent member of 
the Charleston Bar, who took part in the centennial pro- 
ceedings as a grandson of Major James Simons, representing 
the State Society of the Cincinnati of South Carolina. 

Georgians at Cowpens. 

In the hasty gathering of Militia by Colonel Pickens, in 
preparation for the fight at Cowpens, (that patriotic band 
of citizen-soldiers so frequently disparaged by senior officers 
of the army throughout the struggle, by unfair comparison 
with "Continentals," but who nevertheless resisted, and con- 
tinued to resist, in South Carolina, through the gloomy 
days of 1780-81, and resisted to the very end,) there came 
at the last moment, to General Morgan's camp, three Militia 
Companies from Georgia. As narrated, the American Army, 
after the victory, found themselves, with hundreds of pri- 
soners, many wagon loads of arms and stores, and Corn- 
wallis, with a largely superior force, within a day's march ! 
To secure the fruits of the victory no time could be lost in 



132 

reaching General Greene, in North Carolina. Before noon, 
on 17th January, Morgan's column was put in motion, 
General Pickens, in advance with prisoners and wagon trains, 
crossing the Broad, Catawba and other rivers, on a forced 
march in mid-winter. Cornwallis, burning his baggage, and 
with his army in light marching order, in rapid pursuit ! It 
is not strange, under these conditions, that the particulars 
of this battle are not more fully given. From Colonel T. 
Bailey Myers' collection of original papers, we find in a letter 
of Major James Jackson to General Morgan, that the Geor- 
gia Battalion consisted of Captain Samuel Hammond's, 
George Walton's and Joshua Inman's Companies, under the 
command of Major Cunningham. Major Jackson says: 
" None of the authors who have written have mentioned 
them in that action, nor did the account given by your 
Aide-de-Camp, Major Giles, to Congress, notice them, or 
any officer belonging to the State. Georgians have imputed 
this to the loss of your dispatches, and not to any intention 
of yourself, who have always been one of their favorite com- 
manders. The detachment was small, but if you recollect 
you placed them in front of the whole, and they strictly 
obeyed your orders in keeping up a warm fire and gradually 
retreating. I could wish your expressing that they behaved 
as well as the other militia in the field. All behaved well, 
and were peculiarly serviceable to you in advertising you 
of the enemy's approach and skirmishing with their ad- 
vance." 

Major Jackson sent a copy of his letter to General Mor- 
gan to General Pickens, and the following concise and char- 
acteristic letter was sent to General Morgan : 

"■Dear General: Our friend. General Jackson, has shown 
me this letter. His merit cannot be forgotten by you !" 
" I am, dear General, 

" Your obedient servant, 

"ANDREW PICKENS." 

In the brief space available here, in addition to recording 
the fact that Georgians have an honorable record in this 
decisive victory, I wish to allude to some of the chief actors : 

Major James Jackson, whose name has been gratefully 
inscribed on the soil of Georgia, and preserved to posterity 
as a county name, was born at Moreton-Hampstead, in the 
County of Devon, England, September 21st, 1757. He im- 
bibed a sympathy for the Colonies from his father, who 



133 

favored the views of Edmund Burke and other prominent 
EngHshmen — "Conciliation with the Colonies." With such 
sentiments James Jackson, when fifteen years of age, left 
home and arrived in Savannah, in 1772; an entire stranger, 
except to John Wereat, Esq., a friend of his father, before 
he left England. He began the study of law in the office 
of Samuel Farley, Esq., but the times were exciting, and 
the text-books were soon laid aside, and with his bosom 
burning with the love of liberty, associated himself with 
that portion of the citizens who aimed at Independence for 
the Colonies. After various services he was commissioned 
Major, in 1778, and the chronicles of the times speak highly 
of his military talents and fidelity. After the fall of Sa- 
vannah he joined General Moultrie's command, in South 
Carolina, fie was with the army before Savannah, in 1779, 
■ and subsequently served with General Sumter at Blaclc- 
stocks. At Cowpens he was acting as Brigade-Major for 
General Pickens, who commanded more than half of the 
American troops there engaged. General Pickens thus re- 
fers to Major Jackson : " By his example, firm and active 
conduct, he did much to aniinate the soldiers and insure the 
success of the day. He ran the utmost risk of his life in 
seizing the Colors of the 71st Regiment." 

Major Jackson exerted a great influence in the field to 
the end of the war. At the evacuation of Savannah, on 
1 2th July, 1782, General Wayne honored Major Jackson by 
designating him to receive the surrender and keys of the 
town. He entered it, with his ever faithful cavalry, the 
first American officer in actual command within its lines 
since its fall. He was after the war Governor of Georgia 
and United States Senator. He died in the City of Wash- 
ington, while serving as Senator. On his tomb, in the Con- 
gressional Burying Ground, are these inscriptions: "To the 
mem )ry of Major James Jaekson, of Georgia, who deserved 
and enjoyed the confidence of a grateful country. A Sol- 
dier of the Revolution." On the reverse: "He was the 
determined foe of foreign tyranny ; the scourge and terror 
of corruption at home. He died igth March, 1806, in the 
49tli year of his age." His descendants still reside in Sa- 
vannah, Georgia. 

Captain Samuel Hammond, who commanded one of the 
three Georgia Companies at Cowpens, was born on 21st 
September, 1757, in Richmond County, Virginia, and at 
seventeen years of age was in the desperate Indian battle 
foueht at the mouth of the Great Kanawha River, under 



134 

General Lewis, on loth October, 1774. On the breaking 
out of the Revolution he espoused the Patriot cause, and 
entered the Army as Captain of Infantry, at 19 years of age, 
and was in the battle near Norfolk, Va., in December, 1775. 
He was active in the field until January, 1779, when be re- 
moved with his father's family to Edgefield County, S. C, 
and under orders served under General Lincoln, in South 
Carolina. Subsequently he enrolled a company of mounted 
volunters, and was assigned to his brother's corps, Colonel 
Leroy Hammond, and on 3d March, 1779, wascommissioned 
Captain by Governor Rutledge. He was in all the combats 
in lower Carolina, until the fall of Charleston. His com- 
mander, General Williamson, then toolv protection. Captain 
Hammond's age and rank did not entitle him to take part 
in these councils, but he was present, protesting against his 
commander's course. He raised a new company of seventy- 
six men, and went to the upper part of the State, conceal- 
ing themselves by day in swamps and cane-brakes and 
traveling by niglit, and so avoided the British posts and 
troops in the field, and finally reached North Carolina. It 
is impossible, for want of space, to give details of Captain 
Hammond's unceasing activity at this time, for which Gov- 
ernor Rutledge sent him acomm.ission as Major. His Com- 
pany was in front of Colonel Tarleton's Troops, in observa- 
tion, and skirmished with his advance, back to Cowpens, in 
which fight he was with the Georgia Troops on the left of 
the front line, and behaved with great gallantry. He was 
also conspicuous at Eutaw Springs. A most interesting ac- 
count of the n"!ilitary services of the two gallant brothers, 
Leroy and Samuel Hammond, is published in " Dr. Joseph 
"Johnson's Traditions of the Revolution, 1851." It would 
be a public benefit if his only surviving son, the Rev. John 
-Johnson, D. D., Rector of St. Philip's Parish, Charleston, 
would edit a new edition of tliese valuable records for the 
historical instruction of present and future generations. 

Captain George Walton, who commanded a Georgia Com- 
pany on the front line at Cowpens, was born in Frederick 
County, Virginia, in 1740; had few educational opportuni- 
ties; was apprenticed to a carpenter, and when his service 
expired, moved to Georgia, and begun the study of law 
under Henry Young, Esq. In the first patriot call ever 
made in Georgia, 27th July, 1774, Mr. Walton's name first 
appears in the annals of Georgia. At the second meeting, 
I2th January, 1775, he was eloquent in urging immediate 
action for the redress of grievances. In 17761113 talents and 



patriotism were recognized, and he was appointed a Dele- 
gate to Congress, and was one of the Signers of the Declara- 
tion of Independence. His name is inscribed on the soil of 
Georgia as a county name. He was six times elected to 
Congress — yet he was in military service at critical times, 
notwithstanding his high civic honors. Was wounded and a 
prisoner at Savannah, and as we have stated was in the fore- 
front at Cowpens. He was Governor of Georgia, and subse- 
quently Judge of the Superior Court until his death, in 
l8oi. 

In a letter from Congress George Walton complains, that 
" for want of information the deeds of Georgia are given to 
others." This allegation is founded in truth, is a just one, 
but it may truthfully be added, that no State has been more 
indifferent to her early history than Georgia; indifferent 
even after the lapse of more than a century, to the publica- 
tion of these proceedings, which is at least an attempt to do 
justice to that State, and to recall the fact that Georgia 
shared with her sister States the victory of Cowpens; that 
her sons made forced marches to get there in good season 
for the fight. 

Of Captain Joshua Inman, I regret to say. I can find no 
further record than that he was a gallant soldier, and acted 
well his part at the Cowpens. 

The Prayer for "President and Queen." 

Among the Patriot soldiers at Cowpens was Jesse Brown, 
who, after the battle, found on the field, among the dead, a 
Church of England Prayer Book. It is of the edition 
" Printed at Edinburg, in 1768, by Alexander Kincaid, His 
Majesty's Printer." It includes the Book of Psalms and a 
portion of the New Testament. 

This little volume had been preserved for a century among 
the descendants of Jesse Brown. In March, 1881. his 
grandson, Jesse Brown Lassiter, living in Washington Coun- 
ty, Florida, wrote to the Chairman of the Centennial Com- 
mittee, in Charleston, S. C, and offered this Old Prayer 
Book for the use of the Chaplain of the Day, at the unveil- 
ing of the monument. The proposal was referred to the 
Rev. A. T. Porter, D. D., Chaplain of the Washington Light 
Infantry, who expressed himself gratified, and accepted the 
offer. 

The Prayer Book was duly received, and as will be seen 
by the proceedings, was used on the great occasion, Dr. 



136 

Porter invoking the Divine Blessing on both " The Presi- 
dent of the United States" and "Queen of England." 

CORRESPONDENCE. 

Charleston, S. C, 2d April, 1881. 

My Dear Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the re- 
ceipt of your valued favor of 28th March, to-day, and also 
the Prayer Book. I will have the binding repaired and the 
venerable volume put in complete order, and use it, in the 
grand ceremonies of May iith ; will then return it to you, 
as desired. Your other wishes will have due attention. 
Respectfully, 

WM. A. COURTENAY, 
Chairman Centeiuiial Coininittec. 
Mr . Jesse B. Lassiter, Miller s Ferry, Fla. 

Subsequently the Prayer Book, in greatly improved con- 
dition, was returned to the owner at his home, in Florida, 
and duly acknowledged in the following letter. Altogether 
this was certainly a very interesting incident of the occasion : 

Washinc;ton County, Fla., 
Miller's Ferry P. O., June the 6th, 1881. 

Hon. Win. A. Conrtenay : 

Dear Sir — Your very kind favor of 23d May last has 
been received ; also the Prayer Book, papers and pictures 
that you sent me. Please accept my thanks for the same. 
I assure you the papers were quite a treat to me. Please 
give my kind regards to Dr. Porter, and say to him that I 
have a considerable line of descendants now living, includ- 
ing children, grand children and great grand children ; I 
have thirty-five, and that my eldest son living bears the 
name of Morgan Lafayette Lassiter, and that Ivvill make a 
written request on one of the blank leaves of the venerable 
Old Book, that some of my descendants at my death shall 
take care of the book, and hand it down from generation to 
generation, that it may be preserved and sent back to Spar- 
tanburg at the end of another hundred years. 

In all probability this will close our correspondence, which 
has been a very pleasant one to me. I shall regret, until 
the day of death, not being able to go to that celebration, 
where I could have had the gratification of witnessing the 
grand sight, and also making your acquaintance personally. 



137 



In conclusion, suffer me to assure you that you have my 
best wishes for your welfare and prosperity in time and your 
happiness in eternity. JESSE B. LASSITER. 

Finis. 

My self-imposed taslv is finished. Written during several 
months, in the spare moments of an active business life, it 
must inevitably fall short in execution, of the high standard 
justified by the important event here sought to be com- 
memorated. Such as it is, I respectfully submit it to the 
public, in the confidence that the benefit of good inten- 
tions will be allowed me. 

Early in life I became identified with this Revolutionary 
Battle-field, and was in the ranks of the VV. L. I., visiting 
the historic spot in 1856; twenty-five years later, I initiated 
and became associated in these monumental proceedings, 
and have been still further spared, in health and strength, 
to gather up the neglected story of Cowpens, and at the 
end of forty years to prepare this historic record. 

To the citizens of Spartanburg, in whose midst the im- 
posing memorial stands, acknowledgements are eminently 
due for uniform and continuous co-operation in all that 
related to the successful accomplishment of this patriotic 
purpose in 1856, 1881, and subsequently. 

It has been remarked by one, distinguished by his learn- 
ing, that " the happiest man should be one, who links the 
events of his later life with its commencement." Shall I 
not, then, deem myself happy, that through so long a 
period as four decades, I should have been spared to be so 
agreeably identified in this continuing work, not only to 
look upon the completed memorial "To the Victors of the 
Cowpens," but to read the proceedings of this centennial 
in permanent form. With my grateful thanks to all workers 
to this common end, 

I subscribe myself, very respectfully. 




/C/^^t^c-^y^S^uz^, 




" IiDiisfallcu,'" 

Newry p. O., S. C, 

Anniversary of Yorktoivn, 
October, i8g6. 



Lliairinan Centennial Committee. 



What the Historian George Bancroft said at King's 
Mountain, South Carolina, October, 1855: 




" No State may celebrate the great events of the American 
Revolution with juster pride than South Carolina. At the very 
beginning- of the struggle in 1765, she was the first to adhere to 
a general union ; and to her it is due that the Colonies then met in 
Congress. When, in 1 774, a tyrannical government endeavored 
by slow torture of starvation to crush Boston into submission, 
South Carolina opened her granaries of rice and ministered abund- 
antly to its relief. While the sons of the Scottish covenanters in 
Mecklenburg were the first to sever the connection with Great 
Britain, and institute government for themselves, the immediate of 
the great reform rose within the borders of this State ; the victory 
gained; at the Palmetto Fort by Moultrie was the bright and the 
morning star, which went before the declaration of American inde- 
pendence. Wherever the camp-fires of the emigrant shall light up the 
forest of the West, wherever the history of our country is honestly 
told, wherever the struggles of brave men in the cause of humanity 
are respected, high honor will be rendered to the triumph at King's 
Mountain and at Cowpens, and to that sad victory at Eutaw 
Springs, where th-^ vciecc'"' exultation is chastened by sorrow for 
the brave who fell. 



There is still a stronger reason why the North should give you 
its sympathy on this occasion. She sent you no aid in the hour of 
your greatest need. It is a blessed thing to give even a cup of cold 
water in a right spirit ; it was not then possible to give even that. 
All honor must be awarded to the South, since she was left to her- 
self alone in the hour of her utmost distress." 



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